Door window binding
 

Normally I enjoy a good puzzle but this has completely stumped me. Car is a 1988 Carrera coupe and my driver's door window pulled loose from the power window arm and is binding about half way up regardless of adjustments to the door frame, (the window felt was replaced about 3 months ago). I can adjust the frame so the window will drop slowly by gravity when the door is open but as soon as it is closed, it takes two hands to move the window, (I have the window loose from the power window arm right now). Has anyone else encountered this before?

It almost sounds like your frame is bowing when you close the door. Is it possible you've got your door strike set too far in making the door close tighter? I'd watch your frame as you close the door slowly from the outside and see if you notice any deflection in the frame.

I suspect after 35 years of people slamming the door by pushing on the window frame it has slowly bent.

The top of the door, just above the door handle, is slightly out of line with the body when closed, (the bottom of the door is flush and the gaps are even), so it would appear it needs to be adjusted inward a bit. There is a small amount of movement with the door open up and down, top hinge seems to be worn so will replace the bushings and hinge and try to get the door flush first, (I've removed the frame and window for now).

When you put the window and frame back in the car, to adjust the in-out of the frame do this: take a sheet of paper, in my case a sheet from a yellow legal pad, and cut it in half lengthwise so now it is 4-1/4" x 14" and use it as a feeler gauge for the window frame-to-body fit by closing the door with the paper between the window frame and the body in several places, pulling on the paper at each spot. You want to be able to pull the paper out with slight resistance. The tight spots and the loose spots will be evident. Adjust the window frame with the fasteners in/on the door to get it right. Hope that helps.

Well, replaced the hinge bushings and pins today...that was an adventure...now just working at getting it perfectly positioned in the opening, the frame does seem to have a slight outward bend to it about 2/3's of the way towards the back when compared to the passenger side and there is a definite flex at the front of the frame when the door is closed, no matter how it is adjusted so not exactly sure what the next step might be...trying to bend a 'suspected' out of alignment frame back is fraught with disaster and I don't have access to another frame to reference. Sigh.