window regulator

[Jack Seed]

Hi folks. I'm back from yesterday with my window regulator issue. Tomorrow I will take off the door panel for a peak. Does the window glue into the track or is it somehow calmped in there. If it's glued, what type of adhesive should I use to get the window back in the track? I think I also screwed something up with the door lock, because now when I close my door it doesn't want to latch properly. I hate these kinds of problems, but I won't complain about something so minor. Anyone had this problem with a window regulator? BTW, They are manual windows. Thanks.

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[don911]

Jack,
I recently had a window problem as well. My windows were power but I would guess the tracks are the same on manual windows. My window came apart from the track. The window sits in the track on a rubber channel and as far as I could tell, is pressed fit into the track. I didn't want to remove the door frame so I left the window in the door and removed the track from the rollers. I used a windshield adhesive to glue the window back into the channel. The adhesive comes in a tube so I used a calking gun to apply it in the channel. Getting the channel back on the rollers and then installing the window in the channel was a pain since you're working inside the door and trying not to get glue everywhere. The adhesive I used pretty much stuck to anything it touched so if you go that route, be careful not to glue your window to the door. I don't remember the brand of windshield adhesive I used but any windshield place or auto parts store should have some.
Good luck. If you have any questions, let me know.

Don
87 coupe

[David Griswold]

Here is what the window and regulator look like.

If you would like more detail, let me know.

David

[IXXI]

I recently reattached one of my windows to the track too.

When I took the door apart, I saw that the felt in the window channel inside the door was folded over and had been that way for quite a while. To replace that, I took the window frame off. It wasn’t as bad as I thought – just a bunch of bolts. The trim/weather stripping at the bottom of the window (my main concern) can stay on the door.

Reattached the frame, and then dealt with putting the window back in the track. I cleaned up and reused the rubber piece and just pressed it and the metal track up on the window slowly, working along the length of the track. I have no idea if this is the preferred method, but one person was putting pressure on the top of the window and the second was pushing on the bottom of the track with a socket extension (yeah, yeah, I know, its not meant to be a pry bar), using the holes on the inside of the door for leverage. When it was all back together I put dry graphite on the felt.

So far, its stayed just fine. I’m not sure if it’s a final fix, but I didn’t want to glue it because I was afraid of having to replace the window later and not being able to get the glue out. I’ve got the old style regulators (Pelican has a great article about these – its useful to read even if you aren’t changing them out) and I don’t think I could buy a new track in the future. Also, I wasn’t sure of placement of the window in the channel and wanted to be able to redo it if I messed up. My coupe doesn’t have a piece at the back of the window like David’s picture shows.

Good luck with the door lock problem.

[Jack Seed]

Thanks for the help guys. I took the door panel apart Saturday and was able to get the window back into the track. I did use weatherstripping glue to secure it and lubed the track. It seems as good as new. I'm psyched! Thanks again for the advice.