I have searched the archives and found a lot of information for working on the electric windows in my '78 but still have a question. My motor is shot and needs to be replaced on the drivers side door. I see that the three nuts are going to be a real pain to get to but since the window is all the way down and won't go up I don't stand a chance. HELP!!! Is there a way to get the window up?

 

:lol: I just did this yesterday. Everyone said you could push the window up, but I couldn't. So I removed the motor with the window down. It sucked, but I got it done. It was very very Bubba, but I'll explain anyway...
Once you have the door panel off and the access cover off:
1) Get a mini flashlight. Suspend it inside the door so you can see the three bolts.
2) Get a 7/16" ratcheting box end wrench. Tie a rope through the other end (I used a thin dog leash). Dangle it until it is near the bolt.
3) Use screwdrivers, files, and magnets (you have the telescoping magnetic rod with you at all times, right?) to manipulate the wrench until it is on the bolt.
4) Pull up on the rope to loosen the bolt. Use screwdrivers and such to push the wrench back, and pull again. The bolt will drop, but won't be hard to find.
5) Get really angry that the wrench slips off the third bolt.
6) Make a ball of tape and stick it to the wrench. This will wedge the wrench in and prevent it from falling off the bolt. Remove last bolt.
7) Pull out old motor
8) Raise the window. I used the dog leash again to loop around the underside of the bar and pulled up.
9) Stick a screwdriver through one of the upper access holes. This will hold the window up.
Once you've made it that far, putting the new one in will be easy. Self explanatory.

This took me 5 hours, including clean up and putting the panel back on. Should take you less tho, if you know what is ahead of you before you start.

And now my turn to ask a question:
Why is my window still broken? :cuss

 

Now for the real baba way to get at the motor grab a hammer and take a good swing at the glass the rest is prity easy. :D

 

Jim, Ok, the money pit is still sitting in my garage. I read every word you wrote and still can't seem to get up the desire to try this removal. What is stopping me is the fact that I have to get this POS back in!! Never mind that I am going to have my entire tool box at the bottom of my door just getting it out. Seriously, should I take the skin off to get the window motor out? BTW if anyone ever finds the SOB that designed these doors workings, lets get him to overhaul our windows!! Did GM really hire a bunch of junior high kids to assemble these things??

 

i had the same problem...mine took a crap with the window down too :yesnod:
i cant remember exactly how i got it up but i can tell you a good way to KEEP it up once you get it there...
i used a couple of those "grip clamp" type tools...mine have rubber "feet" on them...
clamp the glass with them, one towards the front of the glass and one towards the rear of the glass...
they will hold it up and out of the way while working inside of the door panel...
hope this helps...

 

Putting it back in is easy. Removal is hard 'cause there is a window in the way. Once the motor is out, you can lift the window and keep it raised. Then there will be enough room to get your hand back there. At that point you will be working blind, but with enough space. And, by that time, you will know those three bolts very very well. Go for it. I did it with no instructions, and I can hardly tie my shoes :lol: