Window rollers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 457
Likes: 132
From: England
Window rollers
I took my door glass out today, which was much easier than I'd expected. The rollers all look intact but they move about as if they have a spherical bearing in them, as you can see in my short video clip. Is this normal, or are they shot?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
The roller is on a ball-stud. New ones are somewhat stiff to move and turn. I would lift up/down and see if you feel any free-play. They're pretty cheap, so replacing might not hurt. But if you don't feel any significant 'play' maybe they're ok. IDK if I'd replace if there isn't any free-play. What is the problem you were experiencing?
There are also rollers on the scissors arm regulator asembly which raise/lift, Check them for play too. Check all the rollers. Three other common wear items to check on the window assembly are:
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There are also rollers on the scissors arm regulator asembly which raise/lift, Check them for play too. Check all the rollers. Three other common wear items to check on the window assembly are:
- Broken/missing lift-assist coil spring on the regulator. W/O that spring it really puts strain on the window motor (or crank) and slow to raise the glass.
- Worn plastic *** on the glass. That *** should be spherical on it's surface. Replace if flat-sided. Put a light smear of white grease on the door frame where that plastic **** rides on the inner door frame.
- Worn regulator teeth.
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Last edited by Mark G; Apr 21, 2020 at 10:58 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 457
Likes: 132
From: England
I got everything out of both doors today and cleaned it all up. You are right, the rollers are on ball studs. There is a little bit of end float in the ones that bolt through the glass so I'll replace those. I've also got a bit of free play between the 2 arms on the regulator, they just seem to be riveted together with no actual bearing. Is this free play normal?
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 95
Likes: 10
From: North Central IL.
I'm with terrys6t8roadste, replace them.
On a side note:
My drivers window was becoming hard to crank so I removed the glass, cleaned all the dried 40yr old lube out and reassembled with fresh lube. ( made quite a difference ). But while inspecting the original rollers I discovered excessive slop. I went to O'Reilly Auto and found "Dorman" replacements on the shelf. I have not installed them yet but one thing I notices was the new rollers were very difficult to rotate on their spindles. I feel they will never rotate in the assembly and just skid along in the tracks. I wondered if this was normal or poor quality. If you go that route let me know how it works out.
On a side note:
My drivers window was becoming hard to crank so I removed the glass, cleaned all the dried 40yr old lube out and reassembled with fresh lube. ( made quite a difference ). But while inspecting the original rollers I discovered excessive slop. I went to O'Reilly Auto and found "Dorman" replacements on the shelf. I have not installed them yet but one thing I notices was the new rollers were very difficult to rotate on their spindles. I feel they will never rotate in the assembly and just skid along in the tracks. I wondered if this was normal or poor quality. If you go that route let me know how it works out.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
I've also got a bit of free play between the 2 arms on the regulator, they just seem to be riveted together with no actual bearing. Is this free play normal?
The new rollers I've gotten are stiff. A drop of gear lube helps loosen them up.
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Last edited by Mark G; Apr 21, 2020 at 08:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 457
Likes: 132
From: England
Thanks for the help Mark, the coil springs are fine. Strangely all my rollers ran freely except one on the lower regulator arm which was very stiff. It must have been original as the regulator was still riveted into the door. A good soak in brake cleaner and a drop of lube has freed it up. I'll re-check the plastic pieces today, the bumpers have a bit of wear on the "velvet" covering but otherwise seem okay, I do need to replace the outer seal on the door though.
