I decided late last night to look into why my windows rolled up and down very slow. I got everything out of the car, all of the window channels/ regulator/ glass etc and sure enough it is all the caked on dried up grease that is the culprit, the motor is very strong, spring is not broken. I plan on cleaning it all up this weekend (if not sooner). It was a bear to get out - cause I know I didn't do it right .

So my question:

What is the easiest way to get the channels/regulator/window back in place?

I have a Haynes repair manual but It doesn't seem to helpful. I figure one of you gear heads has done this a time or two and have some "unpublished" hints and tricks. I scratched up my window tint when I took the window out , so Im trying to decide to re-tint it or just remove the tint altogether.

 

 

This site might help some,

http://www.71corvette.com/wt.html

see sections1-3

You should have marked the channels before removing, I didn't and that's why I know you should. If you have a true service manual for 1972 Chevrolets and the assembly manual for your year, they will help a lot more than the Haynes.

 

I guess I failed to mention that this was only one door, so Im sure I remember where it all goes, just what ORDER it goes back. I printed off the 3rd page of that link, thanks!

 

This is all from memory, I have misplaced my service manual. When I took mine out, the window was first out, had to bump it up and down to line up the holes to remove the bolts holding it to the regulator. After the glass was out, I took out the regulator and motor as one piece, again bumping it up and down as needed to get it to drop it's rollers out of the channels and to angle out the large opening at the door's bottom. After that it was just unbolt the channels and small piece up on top of the door. I also took out and replaced the wiskers on the outside top of the door, I can't remember where that happened, in the process. When I put it back, I went in reverse order. The biggest problem was getting the window to work properly, as I didn't think to mark my channels location and in cleaning everything up, I eliminated any paint or dirt marks that might have indicated where to start. Just take a deep breath and go to it, it will sort of work itself out. Good luck.

PS I guarantee the second one will be easier than the first.

 

Thanks 72GACRZR, My mistake was trying to take out the channels first I had some documentation that said to remove the vertical channels first, but it was a bear. I think your way sounds better. Im busy for the next couple of days so I can't get to it just yet, but I'll check back in with my progress.

 

I took out my pass. side window yesterday- it was a PITA and I don't feel like I did it the right way but Oh well... What stumped me was the roller that is on the end closest to the body of the car. It was very wide and did not want to come out of the guide going straight up . I had everything else pretty easily disconnected so that the window would rotate freely around the part that was stuck. I eventually pried and pulled until that last roller came up/out
I have the '79 shop manual but didn't think that it was very good on this subject. I am surprised that there are not more tech notes about removing windows and cleaning guides/ door locks.
Rob

 

79vetter, it was probably because the old dried grease was blocking it from moving up freely. You will have a lot of degreasing to do before you reinstall. I seem to remember when I did mine, it took a few hours to get the old stuff out, but then I was determined to get it all out.

 

Last Sunday - sorry havn't posted in a week. I got the driver's side window back in place. Went in a Lot easier than coming out. here is what i did to get it in place, I installed the window motor and regulator assembly, installed the small horizontal track for the regulator - in 'about' the same position that it was originally. Put the 2nd horizontal track on the two arms of the regulator. Placed the rear vertical track in place, just 'started' the bottom bolt. The "wheel" that goes in teh rear vertical track was inserted and then also installed in the horizontal track, fed the front vertical mount roughly in place put a little more foreward than it should be. Fed the window (front wheel first) through the opening in the BACK of the door and slide forward. put remaining bolts in place on rear track just finger tight. You'll need a helper now to hold the window, I grabbed the front vertical track and aligned and fed the front wheel into the track, then put bolts in finger tight. You may need to "bump" the window motor up or down to line up the window bolts with the holes in the horizontal tracks with the holes in the door. install the nuts -
Don't forget to install the lower bump stops BEFORE installing the window - don't ask me how I know,

Once the window is in place, you can begin adjusting and install the upper bump stops and rattle stops. I think I got mine pretty well adjusted - it is at least better than it was before.

hope this helps. I'll be doing the passenger side later on this weekend or next, but you know how that goes )