Here is my solution for replacement of the electric window regulator pivot spring retainer.
I'm sure it can be improved upon, and I'd like to hear (and see) your solutions and improvements as well.
This replacement involves a T-nut on the backside of the regulator, an angle bracket to retain the pivot spring, sleeve, and a 1/4-20 x 1/2" bolt to hold it all together.
The T-nut was used because there is very little clearance on the back side of the regulator. The T-nut I used here has 1/4-20 thread, but plenty of other options are available. I cut the angle bracket from a piece of junk scrap that I had laying around. The sleeve is a piece of 1/2" square bar stock. I drilled 21/64" holes in the angle bracket, the window regulator, and the sleeve so that they could slide over the 'nut' end of the T-nut. Then I screwed in the bolt to hold everything together. Finally, I used a vise grip to grab the pivot spring and move it from it's temporary resting position (top post in first picture) to between the sleeve and the angle bracket.
Question:
Can someone tell me how many turns the pivot spring should have? I have 5 here, as I assumed that the spring didn't lose a winding when it came undone.
Thoughts:
1. It would be great if a 'T-bolt' is available. Along with a threaded sleeve, these two pieces may be enough to retain the spring without the angle bracket that I have used.
2. My sleeve is way too much work. There must be something readily available that doesn't require fabrication (cut to length and drill job).
3. Although backside clearance is limited, the topside clearance is not so restrictive.
4. The angle bracket could be rotated 180 degrees and the pivot spring moved to the other side so as to give the pivot spring slightly more tension. Not sure if it is needed.
5. Getting the regulator out of the door is not as easy as Bentley makes it look. I hope getting it back in is easier!
Back side of regulator showing the flat portion of the T-nut with 1/4-20 thread. The flat part is about 19mm long by 12 mm wide. As I tightened the bolt into the T-nut, the flat portion curved slightly to conform to the regulator.
