Window makes rattle/grinding noise going down
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad NM
Window makes rattle/grinding noise going down
2002 Coupe. The driver side window all of a sudden started making a rattling / grinding noise when going down. Sounds like gravel traveling in a metal channel. It does not make the noise going up. If I stop the down motion just after it starts down, then take it down in short increments, it doesn't make the noise. I have taken the door panel off. Thought I would find dirt and grime in the channels, but didn't. I lubricated the cables and channel with silicon spray. Still makes the same noise. The front cable seems to have a lot of slack. Much more than the rear cable. Don't know if that is normal. Didn't take the passenger side panel off to compare. I checked for vibration as it went down but didn't feel any. I tried to listen for the location of the noise, but couldn't pin point it. Anyone have an idea / solution? Thanks....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
That is the fix and to the op there should be zero slack.It is created when one of the plastic guide tubes that retains the tension breaks. If you were to take apart the motor you will see the other half.
Order a replacement off rockauto.com
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
I had the same problem with mine, after trying a few different things, i noticed that if I held tension on the loose cable, the window worked fine w/o any noise or hangups. Pulled it tight and zip-tied it to the door panel, problem solved.
May or may not work in your case, but I was pleased with a less than 5 cents fix
May or may not work in your case, but I was pleased with a less than 5 cents fix
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 7
From: california
St. Jude Donor '15
when you do the job make sure you note the position of the window in the clamps that hold it. you can mark thecwindow with a sharpie or just leave the dirt on there. this will help with alignment. make note of the position of the adjustment bolts on the the old regulator also.
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad NM
Finally got around to doing the replace. Not complicated....but did take longer than the video said. Wish the video would warn you of a window that sticks to the rubber cushions in the two window clamps (1/2 inch bolts in the video...really 10mm...). Was concerned something else was holding them. Finally got the nerve to gently pry them apart with a screwdriver after completely removing the bolts. Had to completely remove them while inside the door, as they would not clear the opening at the top. Took a little longer to adjust the fit than I thought, even after marking and making sure the adjustment bolt was the same. The window takes a little longer to travel than the original, but works great!!! My wife is pleased, so I'm supper pleased.Appreciate all the advice. Thanks again.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
Yep, did mine this past weekend. Took about an hour......good instructional video below.
http://youtu.be/Xm1xu-fvZx0
http://youtu.be/Xm1xu-fvZx0
