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clean/lubricate window channels?

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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Default clean/lubricate window channels?

My power windows are SLLLOOOOWWW going up and going down. Do these just get gunked up over time? I think i'd like to clean or lubricate them as necessary. Anyone else need to do this or have done it that can share a little how-to advice?
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 02:10 PM
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Could be drag. Or the wiring has corosion in the connections/switches. This would cause a lower voltage at the motor and slow movement. If it goes up slow and down fast its a broken spring (like mine).
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 02:12 PM
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Just completed this on my 78 (manual windows). It's not terribly difficult, but you will need to remove the glass, which means you will get really frustrated trying to get the alignment correct when you re-install it.

My channels were pretty gunked up. I used brake cleaner to remove the gunk and applied dry silicone and white lithium grease to the mechanisms before re-assembly.

While you are in there, you might considering replacing the nylon, the major vendors offer a door glass rebuild kit. I used that and it worked fine.

Good luck.
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:06 PM
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I agree with slvrshrk.
I just did this on both my doors and windows on my 68 coupe. Removed everything, cleaned it, lubricated and reinstalled and now the power windows work like brand new. Some of the grease was so hard I had to chip it out with a screwdriver.
Dr. Rebuild in Bridgeport Connecticut has all the little nitty gritty window parts if you need to replace anything while it is apart. Not a tough job, do one door at a time so you have the other one, or Dr. Rebuild's catalog, to refer to for reassembly. This was a very gratyfying job as all that was involved was my labor and the results were like new.
Kurt
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:08 PM
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Don't forget to clean and lubricate the gear in the motors while you have everything out. Be careful with the window regulator so it doesn't "snap' onto your arm.
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:11 PM
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When I did my '72's, I cut the side out of a cardboard box and outlined my door panel and channels, then I screwed the screws and bolts thru it in the position they came out(like a templet). You should mark the position of the channels before removing to help with realignment.




PS: Get a service manual for your car, if you don't have one, It has good directions for this.

Last edited by 72GACRZR; Mar 7, 2005 at 04:13 PM.
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:13 PM
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That last part sounds painful, what do you mean "snap" onto your arm? I've replaced window channel and regulators on other car models, so I figure I can do it. What kind of stuff is involved with re-aligning/adjusting the window? The only ones I've done have had the window frame attached to the door - like a truck door.
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:16 PM
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The service manual tells you to remove the motor and regulator as one piece and then you have to put a bolt thru a hole in the regulator to hold the spring in place and keep it fromm unwunding. You will have to jump power to the motor to get it to align the hole.
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Old Mar 7, 2005 | 04:25 PM
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You can get to most of the window rollers, levers, motor etc without removing the glass by removing the inner door panel. Use the lithium grease spray extender (red straw) and a flashlight. I sprayed mine last summer and now they are much faster. Of coarse you can take the window out but you might try this first if you don't want to go to that extent.

Good luck
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