Window Regulators: Rebuild or Replace?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
Window Regulators: Rebuild or Replace?
'71 Roadster w/manual windows.
Windows are getting sticky & tired.
Should I replace the regulators/rollers, or will rebuilding them be just as good?
Would prefer to only do it once.
Thanks
Windows are getting sticky & tired.
Should I replace the regulators/rollers, or will rebuilding them be just as good?
Would prefer to only do it once.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
I would open them up and take a look at what you have. Do they just need to have the old grease removed and new grease in the tracks or are the rollers loose?
For mine there were loose rollers and I tried to recondition them getting new rollers but they never did work right and I ended up changing the regulators anyway. Doing it that way I did do it twice and it was not a good experience.
I'd say quick survey, try lube. Then replace them if it looks like your regulators are worn.
It is not a difficult job especially since you don't have to get the motors out of the way.
For mine there were loose rollers and I tried to recondition them getting new rollers but they never did work right and I ended up changing the regulators anyway. Doing it that way I did do it twice and it was not a good experience.
I'd say quick survey, try lube. Then replace them if it looks like your regulators are worn.
It is not a difficult job especially since you don't have to get the motors out of the way.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 57
I would open them up and take a look at what you have. Do they just need to have the old grease removed and new grease in the tracks or are the rollers loose?
For mine there were loose rollers and I tried to recondition them getting new rollers but they never did work right and I ended up changing the regulators anyway. Doing it that way I did do it twice and it was not a good experience.
I'd say quick survey, try lube. Then replace them if it looks like your regulators are worn.
It is not a difficult job especially since you don't have to get the motors out of the way.
For mine there were loose rollers and I tried to recondition them getting new rollers but they never did work right and I ended up changing the regulators anyway. Doing it that way I did do it twice and it was not a good experience.
I'd say quick survey, try lube. Then replace them if it looks like your regulators are worn.
It is not a difficult job especially since you don't have to get the motors out of the way.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Also look to buy a set of anti rattle grommets for the door lock rods in the door and replace those while you have the door skin off. They help the rods not rattle when you close the door and since you are right there replace those. Old ones are probably hard and new ones will be softer and help the rattle better.
Mark the bolts and placement of the regulator before you take it off so you can put the new one exactly where the old one went. Maybe get a can of spray paint and put a little dot of paint right where they are before you loosen anything or take anything apart. Then you can more easily put the new one right back where the old one was. Otherwise (When the new regulator is not in place right) start to search how to get the window to line up at the top and seal like it was. There is a procedure for that but might as well try to put things back right where they were to get close or maybe right on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Hanging out to hear responses on this one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I spent 5 hours Saturday doing the drivers side,...alone. Learned a few things of course,...mainly the fact this is not a one man job. Second, there are parts that must go together in a correct sequence, or you'll be taking everything apart four times like I did.
Needless to say I was frustrated enough not to even try the passenger side till next week. But I did restock on my Wild Turkey so I'm ready.
