SC Cab/Targa door window assembly order?

[mhackney]

I had to remove the window, regulator, quarter window and window track (rear of door) from my driver's side door on my 83 SC Cab to fix the window that had come out of the track and jammed. It was a PIA to unjam and remove everything and there was no systematic approach to removal due to the jam. Now I have new weatherstrips and felts ready to install, new bottom of window channel rubber, cleaned the window U channel (in good shape) and cleaned regulator, etc. All is in good shape and ready to reassemble. I've read many old posts on targa installs, read the factory manual and the Bentley SC manual and I'm still unsure on what the most efficient order to re-install everything is. This is what I came up with from all my reading, I'd appreciate verification or modifications if I got it wrong!

UPDATED 5/21/18 to reflect actual installation process!

1. install the rear window track, do not install the quarter window
2. insert the motor into the door
3. insert the regulator into the door
4. attach the window to the window rail with new rubber OUTSIDE the car so the window can be seated firmly
5. insert window and track into window top door slot (the weather strip was previously removed)
6. slide the regulator uper 2 wheels into the window track
7. insert the short guide track into the lower single wheel on the regulator and attach it to the door with its 2 screws
8. attach the motor to the regulator (first attach the wiring to motor)
9. attach the regulator to the door
10. install the quarter window and adjust to align properly with window frame and top
11. install new outer door window slot weather strip
12. test and adjust window

Does this make sense?

[DRACO A5OG]

Sounds good.

#5, take a close look at the rail, check for rust or corrosion, if rusted it will not have enough tensil strength to keep the glass in place even with a new rubber grip seal. Option get a new rail or use sealant

Make sure top is fully seated.

I would align with window 1/8" below fully closed and adjust the parallelism and then adjust the height. check several times as any slop on the regulator will show in mis-alignment.

Break a Leg! and post pics

P.S. How is the "L" bracket for the quarter window and where it mounts on the inner side of the door, that is the weak point of our targas when we mistakenly use the window to close the door. Using the glass top rear edge to close the door puts extreme stress on that L bracket and the mount on the door.

[mhackney]

Thanks Draco...

re the rail, I bead blasted the inside U of the rail. It looks in pretty good shape (I had replaced the passenger door rail 6 years ago because it was completely gone). I also intend to use a little sealant just to keep it in place.

I'll take as many photos as I can.

"L" bracket is in good shape.

[DRACO A5OG]

Mine were toast and glass keep popping out so I tried the sealant and it worked. I do plan on replacing both sides but it works so ain't changing yet. :-)

As far as the "L", good to read, you are lucky but take a close look at the door where it mounts, not the Quarter window rail but the door itself. Both of mine broke around the weld. I did a temp fix using wider thick washer. Unfortunately the washer and nut sits between two thin sheet metal and small access hole. Trick is to slide the wide washer down the slot and use a magnet to keep in place as you place the bolt then start the nut.

[mhackney]

Here is where the bracket attaches to the door - it looks good including the inner part and its weld.


And an inside photo of the bracket attached.


Once I had all of the quarter window hardware loosely installed, I carefully closed the door and aligned the window with the windshield frame and then secured. I was pleased to see the witness marks on the hardware, frame and door were aligned with their original locations.

[mhackney]

Ok, my regulator motor terminals are not marked for ground or +. Does anyone happen to know which is which? I looked at the motor on our host's web site but it is not marked either.

[mhackney]

I'll also update the assembly order list as I found a problem. Best not to attach the L bracket until after the regulator is slid in and installed.

[mhackney]

Here's the photo from our host:

[mhackney]

SC Regulator Motor Wiring Connection

Ok, I thought about the orientation and tested the motor for spin direction and determined this was correct. I then tested in the door and it is!

[mhackney]

Ok, I spent an hour trying to get the window with track into the slot. It just won't go. In looking at it, even once in, I likely would not be able to get the upper regulator wheels in the track. But, it looks like if the quarter window were not installed, there would be plenty of room to get the window in and the wheels in the regulator slot. I hope to have a little more time today to try that, otherwise, it will be late next week since I have a business trip tomorrow.

[mhackney]

And here is a photo of the L bracket door mount area looking towards the front of the car from inside the door.
Looks solid to me!

[mhackney]

Draco, what did you use for sealant? I read a few posts where John Walker recommended Sikaflex 292 and others with 291. I plan to use a new rubber U channel and put the 291 inside the U and also inside the U channel on the metal support. Will 291 be ok for this? I just read that 292 is not flexible and more suitable for bonding applications.

[mhackney]

A google search turned up this: HELP, Question on sealant

So this poster mentions he did have the quarter window out to get the window and track back into the door.

[DRACO A5OG]

I just used 3M black all purpose weather strip sealant. Held up just fine.

Glad to see the L bracket mount is still intact. You lucky daug. :-)

As a matter of fact, your's look really good.

[mhackney]

Yeah, it is a very clean CA car and well maintained. I've owned her for 10 years next month.

Any comment on the "leave the quarter window out to install the regulator and glass/track"?

[DRACO A5OG]

When I serviced my regulators and motors I left the quarter windows in place as not to mess up the alignment

But in retrospect it would have made more room to maneuver