Found this inside my door - What is this part?

gshiwota · 11-16-2014, 06:00 PM

I found this inside of my passenger door ('88 Carrera) while I was trying to fix a stuck window. It looks like this broke off of something - can anyone tell me what this is / was?

My window is stuck in the up position. The regulator tracks looks clean and good and the electrics seems like they are working. I suspect that either the window is simply stuck in its felt / rubber tracks or there's a limit switch that's stuck - do these cars have a limit switch on the windows? When you push the switch you can hear the motor try to turn but it sounds like it's reached it's limit. Before I start taking things apart, anyone have an idea of where to start?

Many thanks in advance!

p911dad · p911dad's Garage

It appears to be part of a window regulator pivot. Our host sells these.

LJ851 · 11-16-2014, 06:14 PM

It's part of the window regulator that holds the assist spring.

78SCRSMAN · 78SCRSMAN's Garage

The part you have there is the reason your window doesn't work!

azhodge · azhodge's Garage

You have your work cut out for you. the fix is cheap and can be found on this forum. but you are going to have to remove the regulator. embrace the pain, it will make you stronger!

azhodge · azhodge's Garage

ps, that part missing will only slow down the window. not stop it, something else is going on

Reiver · 11-16-2014, 07:35 PM

Don't the cable guides look like that?

notmytarga · notmytarga's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by azhodge

ps, that part missing will only slow down the window. not stop it, something else is going on

Not the case - the pivot holds the assist spring but also is THE PIVOT that the arms and gears move about. If this pivot pin shears off as in this case the crank mechanism will function poorly - if at all.

I replaced one of mine that was about to fail and then the passenger side hoping it would improve the window movement - it is still a bear to get up but I don't think that an extra 180 degree spring wrap is possible.

There are several types available depending on length and orientation of slot to the keyed hole. The originals had this pin swedged in - the replacements use a Phillips screw to hold them in place.

gshiwota · 11-16-2014, 10:25 PM

Thanks all. I appreciate the collective wisdom. You guys probably saved me a few hours of trial / error and other futile attempts in figuring this out.

azhodge · azhodge's Garage

the picture from lj851 is a window regulator from an earlier model. not an 88. I just found that part in the drivers door of my 88 four weeks ago. it is not the part in the center of the spring coil in lj851 picture. that earlier model the spring is kept tight by a cut out piece of metal that is pushed out to catch the spring. (see lj851)the piece you found is the pressed in part that replaced that early design. your spring did not loose all tension when that piece came off, but most of it. it is a simple fix to install a threaded rod to replace the piece, but you have to remove the regulator to get to it, that is a real pain in the ass. the part in the middle of the spring is what is available from pelican but the part you need is not available. the window just operates slower going up without it. if the window is not going up at all something else is going on.

steely · 11-17-2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azhodge

it is not the part in the center of the spring coil in lj851 picture. that earlier model the spring is kept tight by a cut out piece of metal that is pushed out to catch the spring. (see lj851)the piece you found is the pressed in part that replaced that early design. your spring did not loose all tension when that piece came off, but most of it. it is a simple fix to install a threaded rod to replace the piece, but you have to remove the regulator to get to it, that is a real pain in the ass. the part in the middle of the spring is what is available from pelican but the part you need is not available. the window just operates slower going up without it. if the window is not going up at all something else is going on.

+1 - This

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Found the same in the bottom of my door several months ago and have had zero issues with the window. Maybe the PO had the issue and didn't see the little critter down there.

Reiver · 11-17-2014, 07:36 PM

The metal rods (door lock/opener) have supports that look like that I believe. They still work if you lose one or two...anti rattle I suspect.

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

There's about fifty of these threads here, always found something inside the door, it's always the same part.

Once, just once I'd like to click on it and see a different part. Or maybe even something unexpected, say something a drug smuggler tried to hide back in the 80's or a pack of Marlboro a mechanic left in there while fixing the regulator... just once, something different.

gshiwota · 11-22-2014, 10:41 AM

Now that I know what the part is I was able to search the forum and found a dozen other "What's in my door" thread. Sorry for adding another thread on this - I wish I did find some 80's contraband or a dead rat instead.

BTW.. I was able to fix the window. Turned out that the window regulator was just stuck. I loosened the window stop bracket and gave the regulator a tap. Sure enough, the window started working again. My car had been sitting for about 2 years before I bought it so this window probably hadn't moved in at least that much time. It must have simply gotten stuck. Therefore I just lubed all the tracks and regulator and it's working great. I going to wait until I have to take the door apart to replace pivot as taking that regulator out doesn't look like fun.

Thanks again all!