power window broke
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Linton Indiana
power window broke
I was driving my 85 Vette today and when I went to lower the driver's side window it went down and made a bang. Since then I haven't been able to raise the window. I can hear the motor running when I push the window button. Can anybody tell me how to take this apart. I have the door panel off, but nothing else. I guess this is a good time to also change that outer weatherstrip on the window? Joe
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Sounds like the "ribbon" broke. It would be a good time to do the weather strip. You might want to convert to the newer style mechanism. At least you can wedge the window up so you cand drive it while awaiting parts.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Yes, sounds like your ribbon broke, you can replace it for $25-35 or you can upgrade to the newer style "scissor" mechanism for $50-200 depending on if you get new or used. When mine broke I just replaced the ribbon because I don't plan on keeping the car for a long time. In the long run, the upgrade seems worth it, in the short run, the ribbon is easier to replace and less money. Either way, you need to take the door panel off, take the aluminum panel out and the entire mechanism.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Linton Indiana
Thanks for your replies, I'll get started on it, probably today. I have a Chilton Corvette manual but it never gets into detail on how to do anything. I'll probably just replace the ribbon if I can.
Joe
Joe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Linton Indiana
So, now I have the door completely torn apart and the mechanism out and it looks like I have to take the track apart to put the ribbon on it; is that correct? It looks like it is riveted together, so did you pop rivet it back together or what?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Yeah, you have to drill out the rivets, and thread the new ribbon on. It's been along time for me (I just upgrade and I'm not doing to many of the 80's anymore) so I'll just let someone else......ttt
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
I just did this on my 85 the other night...you do have to drill the rivets out to replace the ribbon cable. i ended up just swapping out the whole motor / regulator assembly since i had a spare lying around, let me be the first to say what a pain in the azz it was to try and figure that door out - my chilton's is in the mail.
at least i got the damn bose out of the door while i was in there to make room for my infinity's !
also, take some time when adjusting the window stops when putting it back together. you need to make sure it makes a good seal with the weatherstripping when the window is all the way up, and doesnt lean one way too much.
at least i got the damn bose out of the door while i was in there to make room for my infinity's !
also, take some time when adjusting the window stops when putting it back together. you need to make sure it makes a good seal with the weatherstripping when the window is all the way up, and doesnt lean one way too much.
Last edited by tmetti; Jun 26, 2007 at 03:21 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Yes, sounds like your ribbon broke, you can replace it for $25-35 or you can upgrade to the newer style "scissor" mechanism for $50-200 depending on if you get new or used. When mine broke I just replaced the ribbon because I don't plan on keeping the car for a long time. In the long run, the upgrade seems worth it, in the short run, the ribbon is easier to replace and less money. Either way, you need to take the door panel off, take the aluminum panel out and the entire mechanism.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Westfield MA
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
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I was driving my 85 Vette today and when I went to lower the driver's side window it went down and made a bang. Since then I haven't been able to raise the window. I can hear the motor running when I push the window button. Can anybody tell me how to take this apart. I have the door panel off, but nothing else. I guess this is a good time to also change that outer weatherstrip on the window? Joe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 4
From: Linton Indiana
Well, I went ahead last night and ordered a new ribbon(supposed to be stronger than original) and new weatherstripping. $17 for the ribbon and $59 for both sides of weatherstripping. I'll probably just replace the rivets with small bolts. I took my Bose speaker box out too. What a pain! I kinda wish these were a little more like the old Vettes, without all that power stuff.