window lifter question

[swedebasher]

Hi Folks , A little advise required please.
The drivers window lifter on my 3.2 Coupe has detached itself from the glass, on inspection the lifter has corroded badly and so I have bought a new lifter and the rubber the the window glass sits in, the question is do I have to remove the window or the regulator to get the new lifter fitted or is there a way which I can fit it with the regulator and window still in place.

[crashr]

I just did this job yesterday on my 75 targa for the exact same reason. My lifter rail was so coroded that it didn't put any tension on the glass and would allow the glass to slip out of place.

It takes some effort to get the glass right down in the between the rail and seal. IMO you will want to do this outside the car. You don't need to take the regulator out, just take the glass and old lifter rail off the regulator. I did the whole job in just over an hour including assembly and dissassembly of the door interior coverings, although I had manual windows, not sure if that changes things. I always find the best way to get the window on the rail is to undo the lock bolt in the center of the regulator arm which connect the second arm to the rail. This allows you to turn the glass on a better angle to get it back in. You can then get the window aligned then redo this bolt/arm.

Let me know if you have any questions as this is fresh in my head.

[swedebasher]

Thanks Crashr, I am going to try fitting the lifter tomorrow (weather permitting) and will give you a shout if I get stuck.

[ROW911SC]

Also just completed this job on both windows of my 911SC. Glass and lifter rail assembly definitely needs to come out of the door. If the rail is really corroded, the glass will come out by itself! I used soapy water to help gently force the glass back into the rubber seal of the rail, then was able to carefully lower the entire assembly back into the door and get the rail onto the rollers. FYI, new rails from Porsche are $300 each; I found a pair in new condition from Parts Heaven for $45 each...

[RoninLB]

measure the position of lifter rail to glass before it's removed

[ROW911SC]

The original rubber seals left a faint impression (after cleaning) on the glass; I used this to properly align the glass in the lifter rail.

[swedebasher]

Thanks for your answers, I have not been able to do the job today as it has been constantly raining here in England and is forecast to do so for a few days yet.
One question is, do I have to dismantle the window rails or will the glass just lift out at an angle?.

[swedebasher]

Thanks again gentlemen for your advise, I managed to get the job done today as the weather held off, I did get a little inside info from a professional vehicle glazier which enabled me with the help of a rubber hammer, piece of wood and some washing up liquid to do the job without removing the glass from the door panel.
took around 15 mins to get the glass and rubber seal sat right into the new lifter, and I only hit my finger once .

[RWebb]

got any additional tips or pics for the unwashed masses watching your thread?

[swedebasher]

Sorry RWebb but due to having to get the job done quickly because of the threat of bad weather I didn't take any pictures. The way it was done was to situate the window lifter about a third of the way up with a wooden block placed under it, drop the glass with the rubber seal on the bottom into the lifter (the washing up liquid was rubbed onto the rubber to ease it into the lifter better) and then with a cloth over the glass gently tap it into place with the rubber mallett, test and then re-assemble the door interior (don't forget to remove the block of wood)

[RWebb]

thx - soulnds like the wooden block and the cloth are the inside tricks...