need help w/ felt window channels

[}{arlequin]

I'd like to replace mine since I believe the ones on the car are still the original '70s vintage. Very worn and the window sits loosely so when it's partly rolled down, it rattles w/in the frame.

How are these channels secured? Are they clipped in? Wedged in? Glued?

What's the best way to remove and replace them? Can it be done w/ the glass in the door?

Thanks.

[Superman]

I have little knowledge of this, but I did watch JW replace these once. He simply used a screwdriver to wedge the felt into the channel, and rolled the window up and down to encourage the felt to go down into the door. Like all the great ones do, he made it look easy.

[juanbenae]

sup, did JW disassemble the door at all? i thought the felt ran all the way down into the bottom of the door, full throw of the window depth.

i too am very interested in anyone whos done this (other than say jw because he's a pro), to find the pit falls before i start.

[}{arlequin]

found some history about this, one is encouraging, the other one sucks:

Window Channels

jww's last post kinda took the steam out of me:
one window is faster than the other

[tobluforu]

I did this with frames in car. Mine pulled right out. I had to go back and scrap out some glue-I used a screwdriver. You will have to take door panel off. If I do remember the new felt came in one piece. I cut mine into thirds. I glued the top piece in first, rolled window up and down making sure no glue was on window. I then rolled it all the way up and left it there over night. I did this to both sides. The next day I did the sides. I rolled window down half way and was able to slide new felt in between window and frame. Once in place I rolled window down pulled felt back and put glue in frame. Rolled window up and down a few times, and then rolled it up and did the bottom part. Rolled up and down a few times, and then rolled it all the way up and let it dry over night. Done.
Good luck.

[Mike Andrew]

I did this & used the JW method found here. It worked very well but be sure to put a bit of tape on the window edge or on the screwdriver blade where it will rest on the window. This will prevent damage to the window edge.
I also used dish soap to lube the back edge of the felt but silicone will work also.
It's a bit time consuming, so be patient.

[jpnovak]

Dave, you will likely have the old channel. its a pain to remove but the new seals go in easily.

YOu will have to take out the window frame to pull this channel. Its fairly easy.

First roll the window all the way up. Then pull the door panel and pockets if you ahve them. Put tape and reference marks on several areas where the frame meets the door. This will help when re-installing.

There are several bolts to remove.

rear edge of door, 2x top and 1x bottom,
front edge of door , 2x
top inside edge of door just in front of the lock pin 1x
middle of the door is another. You can get to this through the speaker hole.

The frame just lifts up.

[}{arlequin]

thanks guys. I'll give it a shot but since it's a bit more work than I thought (door seals are easier/less stressful) I'll save it for the weekend when it's still daylight

edit: just to make things clear, when I do find the old channnel and pull it out, I won't be replacing the metal(?) piece back in w/ the new felt, I will be installing just the new rubber/felt piece by itself, right?

[tobluforu]

Mine was a 72 and all I replaced was the felt-no metal piece. If yours slides out like mine, give it a shot with frame in. If not, it's very easy to take frame out-about 30 mins when door panel is off. You will be well rewarded when done-no more door rattles.

[juanbenae]

this post is for future search efforts.

if you are to attempt to do the swap with out removing the window frame i found cutting the felt in a point/arrow shape worked very well. i cut it sharp, at about 45 degrees, and it did not hang up in the track as much as the square edge.

i also had to remove the slow window door panel and loosen the adjustment allens to get the tight side fed. got both sides done without frame removal though. with the felt out of the window it was easy to determine which location it was hanging up, and where the window needed to be adjusted. i had always suspected it to be tight at the back edge, but with the felt out it was obvious that it was holding up at the front side. i would sugest you run the window up and down with the felt out to determine where its tight.

this allowed me to get it readjusted right, get the felt in, and not put finger prints all over the window by helping it up and down no mas.

hope this is useful.

[}{arlequin]

good stuff, thanks.