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Window Regulator?????

kiwi vet

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
247
Location
New Zealand
Corvette
1981 Black/Camel T Top "RAC3R"
Hey All

;help

Have to replace the drivers window regulator this weekend. Its got the C3 gear jump thing happening, and sounds like a sick machine gun..... you know the....... dud dud dud dud ...... type of thing about 2" from the top. :hb.

Have already got the replacement gear (the whole thing, not the drill fit teeth type), but was wondering if anyone has seen/ have access to, step by step instructions on how to get it out of and back in the door? or any tips?

Thought I would ask first, rather than re-inventing the wheel, so to speak!.

Looking forward to your comments/leads.

:beer
 
Hey Kiwi,
Yes, I've done it - it isn't pleasant. You might want to practice your swearing now! I didn't replace the whole gear, just used the S/S 'replacement' gear kit. Obviously, you start with the door panel, then remove the window - can be tricky, pay attention to details - then the motor, and finally the regulator. It should be riveted in, meaning you have to drill them out, but you can bolt it back in. There is some trick there that I missed about putting a bolt through it so the spring doesn't let go, but I missed out on that part - I clamped a vice grip on it to keep it in place (I do not recommend this) to get it out via the motor access hole. You might want to practice standing on your head too. The only thing I can say is be careful not to tear the window seal, and for working around the gear - they call them TEETH for a reason! Take your time, I did it blind and got it done. Oh one other thing - the motor only goes on ONE WAY, but you can get it together wrong. It has to be in the regulator frame perfect or it won't work. (more swearing, and trying again) Hopefully someone else has experience with changing the whole gear. Good luck and G'day!
Craig
 
I did this last year. One trick I employed that helped was I raised the window all the way up and taped the window to the door with duck tape, it saved me from removing the window, just make sure it can't fall 'cause you're hands are gonna be in there. If you access to gaffer tape it'll save you from removing the glue. It's not a pleasant job. Removing the cross members and the bolts took some contortion moves.

I tried to document this when I did it but I was so pi$$ed off after about three hours, I gave up...........there was no way to have a set procedure.

Good luck.
 
Craig32 & Goingballistic,

Thanks for the information....................I think? ;LOL
It looked like a mongrel of a job, and apparently from your comments, thats completely right - bugger!!!!!!!
Oh well, do this one and when the passenger one goes I'll have it down pat! Yeah Right! :crazy

:beer
 
kiwi

i seem to remember a very detailed post (and follow-ups) on this subject including a retty much step by step description. you might want to try doing a search for it. it wasn't that long ago.
 
srs244 said:
kiwi

i seem to remember a very detailed post (and follow-ups) on this subject including a retty much step by step description. you might want to try doing a search for it. it wasn't that long ago.

Hey srs244
Thanks for the reply, have done a search using the tool above, but no joy.
Anyone have any ideas where this thread might be hiding?
Any help appreciated.
:beer
 
dk1977 said:
Try Bob's technical page at this address: http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.robert/Window_reg.pdf
The pics may not help, but the step by step might.
Good Luck! I plan on overhauling mine this winter.

Hey dk1977
Thanks for this, I was starting to get a little concerned about the whole thing, based on the other comments, warnings etc. :W
Was having nightmares about getting it half in, half out, and then stuck during a weekend, when everyones else is away. :duh
I'll let you know how I get on!
(Dam, no smiley with fingers crossed, legs crossed, arms crossed ;LOL)
Thanks again!
:beer
 
It easy. I did both of mine last month. take off the panel. Drop the window until the holes in the metal line up withe the bolts that hold the track to the glass (one on each end). You will need to slide the window off this track. Detach the window and tape it to stay up. Remove the motor access panel at the bottom center of the door. If your regulator is original drill out the rivits (I believe 3 on the the motor). Using the power window switch compress the regulator to its lowest point (you may have to play around with this). DO NOT REMOVE THE MOTORTHERE IS A SPRING WITH SUBSTANTIAL PRESSURE!! Take it out as an entire assemble. fit the new ENTIRE ASSEMBLE in. Use lock nuts with bolts in place of the rivits....abit of a pain to get a wrench on but can be done....reattach the motor. Us the power to raise the track up to the bottom of the window...reattach the track...don't forget to put the window rollers back onto the track.

Its easier then it sounds.

Jim

Jim
 
Thanks Jim

I was supposed to do last weekend, but got side tracked with a few other issues on the car, but looking forward to it! ;LOL ;LOL ;LOL
:beer
 
Check out Zip. They had all these great technical articles, including this one, and took them down when the they revamped their site. They were going to put them back but I don't know if they ever did.
 
Cheers Bob :beer

That little bit of info made the procedure very clear!

Now all I have to do is not balls up the process part ;LOL ;LOL ;LOL
Thanks Again!
:beer
 
I did a pretty good fix to mine and it may work for you. I had seen the type that you can just rivet in place (place over your worn gear. This is expensive.) There is also the replacement gear (cheap, but much more work)

I bought the replacement gear. I took the complete mechanism out the car. I cut part of the replacement gear off with a hacksaw, so it resembled the quick-fix gear. I then bolted this near gear directly ontop the worn gear. I don't remember if I had to drill holes or not, but it was pretty easy, and it repaired it.

(just an idea)
-Vic
 
Thanks Bob

Point taken!!!!!!!

:beer
 
Thanks Vic

Yeah saw this type too, but as any Murphy's Law situation, had already bought the entire gear!!!!
Will give that idea some thought though!
Thanks again
:beer
 
I bought the whole gear too. What I am saying is that you can hacksaw it, and use it like the expensive quick-fix type.
 
Hey Vic

Yeah sorry about that, read it again and amended answer.

Bit slow tonight, again thanks for the help.

:beer
 

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