by Ken Knebusch
My right rear window made a pop and the window started to slide down on its own. After dissembling I found the regulator gears popped out of line and the nylon glide was broken in two. Everyone was saying that you could only buy the regulator as a complete part, (around $100).
After spending quite some time at Lowes, I found a couple of nylon washers that did the trick. I greased the washer and track and after quite a bit of testing they held up.
Putting everything back together was tricky. If you have the capability of taking digital photos before disassembly, I recommend that. That helped me when reassembling. The Haynes manual guided me through most of it but it doesn't really help with reassembly.
What I did:
BEFORE ANYTHING, DUCT TAPE THE WINDOW TO THE WINDOW FRAME!
3. I suggest when removing the regulator, to remove the 2 fixed bolts and loosen the other 2 bolts enough to slide the regulator out.
4. Next, I followed Haynes’s instructions on removing the window and frame.
I don’t have a picture but there is one bolt inside the door, holding the window frame that is tough. It is located inside the door here. I spent some time on reassembly here!
I chose not to remove any of the locking mechanisms so this is why it was so difficult.
I would recommend some kind of flexible screwdriver or socket driver for this one.
1. At this time you can replace the regulator if you need to or as in my case refit a nylon glide. There are so many options at the hardware store that you should find it fairly easy to pick up a replacement.
This was the broken glide, (what I call it anyway).
And this is what I used.
I bought this pack also but didn’t need it. It would require a little more to make this work.
6. I heated up the nylon washers enough to push them over the part on the regulator where the glide had come off. I greased them and the track up. You will need to use a flathead screwdriver to pry up one end of the track to slide the arm and glides back in. Once you do, use pliers to press the ends back down. The arm will now stay in the track. Also note that I left the screws in the window that held on this track. This will make it easier for reinstallation.
7. Now reinstall the window and window frame. The only difficult part I found when reinstalling the window is getting the frame back in place. You will need to start it in and then lower the left side just a bit to get the top bolthole section past the doorframe. After that it should slide down. I would then put back just a few bolts for now.
8. Putting the regulator back on was a trick. First my regulator gears where not on track so I had to plug in all the electrical connectors including the regulator. To get the gears back in line it will be easier with two people. Have one person press the widow switch up or down, slowly while the other guide the regulator arm back into gear. That was the easiest part of the job. It just takes a moment to visualize it.
After everything is aligned put the regulator back into the door. Here you will just have to look at the door, the window and the regulator. It takes a couple of tries to get it back in. If you left in the 2 bolts you will be able to pop it back in. Once in place you can put the last 2 bolts in.
9. Now put the window track with the regulator arm hooked into it, into the track. Plug back in the power to the window and lower the window until you can see where the track can be put back on. You will have to adjust and tweak until the regulator arm and window track line up. Tighten the track to the window. Now test!
10. Reconnecting everything else was easy.
I hope this helps anyone who decides to tackle the job. It wasn’t as hard as I thought. It took me just over three hours. It will be much quicker the next time.
GOOD LUCK!
Charlotterover (Ken Knebusch)