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After cleaning up passenger side window regulator (it was nasty), it functions fine now except the brake will not hold the up/down position when you release the crank (see pix below). So first question:
Is the brake fixable? if so, how?
If not, I have an extra driver side regulator and it APPEARS to be identical to the passenger side except for the direction the spiral spring is tensioned. So next question: Are they actually the same besides the spring issue? And if so, what's the easiest way to get that spring off and reversed?
OK, now I understand you have a non-power regulator.
The big gear looks good, is there a way to examine the small gear?
I guess I could drill out the rivets . . . but there's the quandary because I know the gear itself is good as I can hand crank the whole distance of the big gear (and it tracks fine). The problem is that when I let go of the crank, the spiral spring takes over and moves the crank, the gear (and the window) back to ground zero. As mentioned, the driver side is fine. When you crank it, the gears turn and when you let the crank go, the gear and window stay put.
Could the spring be on backwards? It's supposed to help raise the window.
Although anything IS possible with this car (bought it in boxes), other than being a little clunky/sticky prior to my dismantling it - it worked fine. Therefore I don't think it is a spring direction issue. As expected however, the driver side is OPPOSITE direction. By the way, I never took the regulator itself apart - just cleaned it up. But that gunk must've been what was holding it together!
OK, so if the spring were on backwards, what is the easiest way to remove it. How do you get the tension off of it in order to remove it?
Although anything IS possible with this car (bought it in boxes), other than being a little clunky/sticky prior to my dismantling it - it worked fine. Therefore I don't think it is a spring direction issue. As expected however, the driver side is OPPOSITE direction. By the way, I never took the regulator itself apart - just cleaned it up. But that gunk must've been what was holding it together!
OK, so if the spring were on backwards, what is the easiest way to remove it. How do you get the tension off of it in order to remove it?
Thanks.
OK, so I just confirmed thru some online photos that my spring IS on in the correct direction for the passenger side. So the problem gets back to being the brake failure. However, I did find a good, used regulator on ebay and went ahead and bought it. When I get a good working part in hand, I'll feel more comfortable about possibly drilling out the rivets and looking inside the brake unit to see exactly what's wrong :-)
Thanks to all for their input. Will let you know if/when I find out something.
I think if you put the regulator in a vise you can unwind the arm and take the tension off, but as you have figured out I have no experence with non power regulators.
Wayne, here's a picture of a passenger side window regulator (manual) installed in the door...
Is this what your looks like when installed? The coil spring should be fully coiled at this point, window down. I'm not aware of a brake on the window regulator. The spring is what assists in lifting the window into position. It is a balance of the weight of the window being countered by the tension in the spring.
I would check the spring...sounds weak. I just finished redoing both of the doors on my '73. Be sure to replace all three wheels on the regulator (buy spares in case you damage one when pressing the rivet (it's easy to do) and the two main wheels on the window (one attached to the front of the window and the one that is in the rear track and horizontal bar. The last two make a big difference in play at the top of the window. Lastly replace the "rub ****" (my term) on the front of the glass...this makes a big difference in the glass locking in place when in the full up position. Replacing these parts, cleaning and greasing all four tracks (two vertical and two horizontal (one short and one long) has made a huge difference. Lots of work, but well worth the results.
Window Regulator Issue '74
