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Good afternoon all, I stripped all of the hardware off the original doors of my 73 which were completely rusted out and I am working on the plan to put them in the new doors that I just painted, and I am wondering when I should plan on rebuilding for the window mechanisms.
To me all the parts look serviceable, just a bit rusty in places. I would be interested in anybody’s thoughts regarding what should be rebuilt and replaced before I put everything back in the new doors. Scott
You might be able to improve what you have by replacing and rebushing all the sliding/pivoting components, but my first approach would be to replace it all with reproduction mechanisms if you can get them.
I just completed both sides rebuild of my manual windows.
I ended up just replacing all the nylon bushings and slides.
Removed all the tracks and gave everything a good cleaning and scraping.
If they're not bent or kinked at all, and you can clean them up to a smooth surface in all the contact areas, you should be ok to just replace all the nylon parts.
Also replaced the rubber washers for the glass nuts.
Greased it all well with some lubriplate and put it all back together.
Mine had shown signs of wear, allowing some tilt/slip as the window was cranked up.
Bushings were worn and the nuts were not tight enough.
Everything works well now, and I was able to get a decent fit and seal to the T-tops.
Those doors are scary looking. Glad you're replacing the doors, but trying to preserve the internals as best you can.
Good luck.
Last edited by Bergerboy; Jun 8, 2020 at 02:45 PM.
Just an fyi and it may not be what you are looking for but Bair's sells rebuilt manual window regulators. I went this route on my 73 after attempting to rebuild the originals myself and was not satisfied with the outcome. Of course someone with better mechanical skills than myself may have a better outcome but you have to weigh the cost of the replacement parts and pieces and the value of your time. The cost of the rebuild regulator was $125 plus a $50 core charge that is refunded when you send them your original window regulator. Just google "corvette rebuild manual window regulator" and go to the Bair's link.
Just an fyi and it may not be what you are looking for but Bair's sells rebuilt manual window regulators. I went this route on my 73 after attempting to rebuild the originals myself and was not satisfied with the outcome. Of course someone with better mechanical skills than myself may have a better outcome but you have to weigh the cost of the replacement parts and pieces and the value of your time. The cost of the rebuild regulator was $125 plus a $50 core charge that is refunded when you send them your original window regulator. Just google "corvette rebuild manual window regulator" and go to the Bair's link.
73 non power window rebuild
