Screeching Driver's Window
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Screeching Driver's Window
Well gentleman, I have a small issue with my window. JIC, the car in question is a 2004 Z06 with 28k on the ODO. The window goes up and down just fine but as it does you hear this horrible screeching. I have the door cover, speaker and the plastic water cover off.
The noise comes from the front window rail it seems. I've worked the window up and down to check the lines for fraying and there isn't any. I put small daps of deep creep on the rail and wires. Still I have this horrible screeching. When the window reaches the bottom it goes thud. I also tried adjusting the rail but it was to no avail.
I used the search function for info and used the info to disassemble the door. I've read several threads and used MainStreets YOUTUBE video to get where I'm at.
So before I commit to taking out the window regulator assembly is there anything that I'm missing? The noise is happening on the front window rail. The rear window rail has zero noise and everything is in order with the hole assembly visually. I only have 28k on the ODO and this seems premature for failure.
Thanks for the advice gentleman.
The noise comes from the front window rail it seems. I've worked the window up and down to check the lines for fraying and there isn't any. I put small daps of deep creep on the rail and wires. Still I have this horrible screeching. When the window reaches the bottom it goes thud. I also tried adjusting the rail but it was to no avail.
I used the search function for info and used the info to disassemble the door. I've read several threads and used MainStreets YOUTUBE video to get where I'm at.
So before I commit to taking out the window regulator assembly is there anything that I'm missing? The noise is happening on the front window rail. The rear window rail has zero noise and everything is in order with the hole assembly visually. I only have 28k on the ODO and this seems premature for failure.
Thanks for the advice gentleman.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
It sounds like a broken spring guide to me. They fail because of window use not miles traveled. Since you have the door upholstery off you can feel the cable within each rail with your hand. If the spring guides are still sound there should be no slack in either cable with the window fully up or down. The spring guides are the little white plastic plungers where the cables emerge from the motor assembly. If there is excessive play in either of those cables at the motor you have a broken spring guide.
The guide on the up-window side usually fails first because its under compressive load with the window up. When it breaks the cable sheath is able to be drawn into the motor's winding mechanism and that's what makes the screeching sound. The only remedy until an enterprising type offers rebuild kits, is a new regulator.
And just to be safe, until you get it repaired I'd be careful when and where you lower that window. It might jamb the next time or work noisily 50 more times. If your like me it'll chose to fail half-way down in a thunderstorm on your way to the airport (lol).
The guide on the up-window side usually fails first because its under compressive load with the window up. When it breaks the cable sheath is able to be drawn into the motor's winding mechanism and that's what makes the screeching sound. The only remedy until an enterprising type offers rebuild kits, is a new regulator.
And just to be safe, until you get it repaired I'd be careful when and where you lower that window. It might jamb the next time or work noisily 50 more times. If your like me it'll chose to fail half-way down in a thunderstorm on your way to the airport (lol).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Thank You BRO! You are most likely correct as the explanation you gave is what I have already found trying to problem solve. The front cable is very slack. Moreover, you described my luck and what will likely most happen. I'm a scientist and if I did one more WTF experiment as to why that noise was happening... I was going to go mad scientist.
Cool, I'm ordering my new assembly from upanddownmainstreet.
Cool, I'm ordering my new assembly from upanddownmainstreet.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Your more than welcome Todd. I guess we'll have to wait until new regulators start to dry up before someone offers rebuilt units with spring guides that won't break.
My ac went out one summer and I put off rebuilding it until I had the right parts and equipment. I used the windows a LOT that summer and both regulators gave up the ghost. Imagine a C5 at rush hour in August in Texas with no windows or ac!
My ac went out one summer and I put off rebuilding it until I had the right parts and equipment. I used the windows a LOT that summer and both regulators gave up the ghost. Imagine a C5 at rush hour in August in Texas with no windows or ac!
