C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Electric Windows Flexing Inner Door

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 03:28 AM
  #1  
FrankRiley's Avatar
FrankRiley
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Electric Windows Flexing Inner Door

I am working on my 71 electric windows and noticed that the window when it goes up and down causes the inner metal door to flex a lot. It looks like a thin metal like aluminum flexing around. Is this normal or is something wrong. The window goes up and down well. I do not have the 2 small cover panels on the inner door as they were long ago removed. Would those two cover panels help stop the flex. If you know how a 71 electric window and door looks in operation please advice me. Thanks Frank Riley goldglassshark@gmail.com
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 04:27 AM
  #2  
71VetteLover's Avatar
71VetteLover
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 516
Likes: 72
From: Modesto California
Default

Originally Posted by FrankRiley
I am working on my 71 electric windows and noticed that the window when it goes up and down causes the inner metal door to flex a lot. It looks like a thin metal like aluminum flexing around. Is this normal or is something wrong. The window goes up and down well. I do not have the 2 small cover panels on the inner door as they were long ago removed. Would those two cover panels help stop the flex. If you know how a 71 electric window and door looks in operation please advice me. Thanks Frank Riley goldglassshark@gmail.com

The flexing you see is normal as the gear reduction motor exerts a lot of torque when the window reaches its stops. Nothing to worry about.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 10:01 AM
  #3  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Default

One of my windows did something similar when I got the car. Two problems. One was the old grease in the regulator channels was like glue. The solution is to clean out the old lube and re-grease. The other problem was the motor was not anchored properly. There is a bracket on the back of the motor which anchors the motor to the door and distributes the load. Mine was missing on one side. Something tells me these earlier cars didn't have this bracket, but you will have to check with someone more knowledgeable about the earlier cars.

Replacing or adding the bracket is an easy fix, but regreasing the regulator is a bigger deal. You have to pretty much disassemble the door to do it properly and that's one of those PITA jobs we hate to do. If you do this, consider replacing the regulator spring while you have it apart. They break eventually and if yours is old you know what's going to happen. Its going to break a week after you get the door back together.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 07:09 PM
  #4  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Default

As '71VetteLover' stated...the flexing is normal...and may be more noticeable when the window is down all the way.

The window regulator for your Corvette is attached to the door at three attachment points.

In the link provided below...Look at the third photo in the first post and they are circled in red.

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...tuck-down.html

DUB
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 10:49 PM
  #5  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
As '71VetteLover' stated...the flexing is normal...and may be more noticeable when the window is down all the way.

The window regulator for your Corvette is attached to the door at three attachment points.

In the link provided below...Look at the third photo in the first post and they are circled in red.

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...tuck-down.html

DUB
In the same photo you can see the bracket at the back end of the window motor. There is a bolt that goes through the metal cover over the motor and anchors the motor to the door. On my car that bracket was missing and caused the door to flex more than normal with window operation.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2017 | 06:57 PM
  #6  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by drwet
In the same photo you can see the bracket at the back end of the window motor. There is a bolt that goes through the metal cover over the motor and anchors the motor to the door. On my car that bracket was missing and caused the door to flex more than normal with window operation.
YES...that bracket that is attached to the end of the window motor is used on later C3 Corvette year models and the metal access plate will have a hole for it.

A 1971 will not have this bracket on the motor

If my memory serves me correctly this added bracket began in 1978....which is when the armrest was added to the door panel...and the 'lock-unlock' **** was put into the armrest of the door panel

DUB
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Electric Windows Flexing Inner Door





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:10 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE