Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:13:02 -0500
Reply-To: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: power window regulators
In-Reply-To: <DBCD6983-5A20-4A42-B87D-65C5FEAA5CDC@knology.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Jim,
You wrote: "I would not buy a new mechanism for a repair that can be
done, start to finish, in about half an hour if you have the pop rivets
on hand and you've done the removal and installation of the mechanism
enough times to be quick about it. If you know what you are doing, the
motor and cable assembly will come out in less than ten minutes."
Those are very big "ifs" in that paragraph where you are making this job
sound so easy. I agree that you are correct, but I think that it takes
quite a few attempts at the removal and replacement for most people to
get to that level of familiarity with the job. So, the first time DIY
usually is going to need much more time and have lots of frustration in
getting this in and out.
I did the R&R several times in a few days last year trying to get both
of these fixed on my Syncro. I was successful but the passenger side
took a few R&R's because the cable was binding inside the mechanism.
So, by the end, I could do it very quickly also. But it was hard at
first. Had to take the mechanism apart and put back together - or at
least it seemed that I did and that is how I fixed it. It still makes a
bit of noise near the top of the trip up to closed.
I also used a small screw to put that plastic cable guide back in
place. But, the cable had gotten wound up inside the regulator and it
took me and another guy to get enough cable out to get it back around
the corner. The driver's side was very easy for some reason.
So, maybe for many people's benefit, it would be good if you could write
up the procedure, with any of the tricks that made it quick and easy by
the end while it is fresh in your mind. I had intended to do the same
last summer, but didn't because I had so much to do before getting away
on my trip to UT. Now I probably have to go do at least parts of the
job again to remember all the details of what I was doing when it had
gotten to be "easy." At some point in the process, I was hanging the
mechanism in the door with one of the bolts in the wrong hole and
getting easy access at the bottom of it to either install or remove the
electric motor (or both).
Having a long magnet on hand is a good idea as one is very likely to
drop nuts into the door. Using a big screwdriver or some sort of wedge
to hold the windows in place is also essential. A small 1/4" ratchet
and a universal joint extension was helpful for doing some of the nuts
(10mm IIRC) that connect the motor and the mechanism.
I can't remember if I took some pictures, but I can look later today and
see if I can find them if you think you could do a write up. I'll be
happy to read it over and see if I can think of anything to add or make
any clarification.
Zoran Mladen replied to a post I made and offered some regulators he had
refurbished but suggested that I try fixing mine first with the screw to
hold the cable guide. He had also had the cable bind up inside the
regulator and require a 2nd person to fix it. I still have email he sent
me on how to do the repair.
Sam
--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD
