baycountry16

I'm trying to replace my rear driver side vent window on my 2001 XJ. The tint had never matched on the vent window ever since I bought my jeep 5 years ago and I came across a replacement at a junkyard for $40.00. It looks pretty simple to replace, but I'm having trouble unhooking the two rods for the door handle behind the trim. The two rods control the handle and the lock and run from the inside handle over to the handle on the outside of the door. Does anyone know how to unhook these? They don't just pop off, and they are the only thing keeping me from getting the trim off. Everything else was straight forward. I have power windows as well and that was just a plug that disconnected. Any help would be appreciated. This thing is driving me nuts!! What am I missing?

96_xj

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Desert Rat

Are you talking about the small piece of glass behind the rear passenger window? I had to replace that a number of years back on my '01. I want to say its just a single screw (top of door) holding the trim between that glass and the larger door glass and some adhesive holding the smaller glass. I don't remember having to remove the door panel or any other hardware, I think once you remove the top screw you can manipulate the trim enough to get the glass in. Again not sure, mine was broken out so it might have been a different situation.
Edit: I mis spoke, I just ran out and grabbed my manual, there is a couple more screws behind the panel that will allow you to remove the channel and the glass. it does'nt tell you to remove anything else. that will teach me to go from memory.

baycountry16

I see where the rods are bent at 90* and go through a hole in the inner door handle assembly, but there is like an orange peice of plastic around the rod where it bends 90* that goes through the hole as well. It looks like that plastic goes up through the hole and holds it in place so it won't fall out of the holes in the handle. With the plastic holding it in place, it doesn't look like the rod will just slip out. Here's a few pics I just took to make it easier to explain. Thanks again!

baycountry16

yeah, that the right glass you are talking about except it is my drivers side. I know replacing it is actually very simple, but to get to that lower screw it is almost a necessity to remove the trim. Plus. I just want to know how to disconnect the handle's two rods for future reference as well!

Desert Rat

I think you rotate the yellow link retainers (should be a slot on one side for the bar to come out of) and then it should pull straight out.

bfisher42

the small plastic clips on the rods unclick by swinging them away from the rods. then gently push down on the rod to free it from the clip itself.

baycountry16

I'll have to try it tomorrow, but I see what you are talking about and the makes sense. Thanks for the help!