Power window issues

[rizzjc]

I have the same problem as I've seen some others post about. My driver window has been showing signs of the bushings wearing out for several years. Finally stopped working altogether. Motor sounded fine, but window wouldn't move. I removed the motor and replaced the bushings. There was definitely no recognizable bushing left in there. Now the motor is working again, but the window "hangs" when going down. It opens a bit, then gets stuck. I can help it down, and after it gets about halfway down, it's fine, and continues all the way down. Goes up just fine.

I can see that something is binding up when I look at the arms that the window rides on. I'm thinking it's something with the tracks, but they all seem OK from what I can see. I'm wondering if something is binding up in the motor still, since I only took the plastic gear out to clean out the pieces of bushing, but I'd think anything in there would show a problem up, down, or in between. This is binding at a specific spot.

Not wanting to mess with the infamous spring, I'm trying to understand how to avoid having an issue with it. If I just pick up an entire regulator assembly, can that spring still come loose? I'm also trying to avoid drilling out rivets that I have to replace later. Thinking about just bringing it to someone to have it taken care of. *Should* be cheap, since the door is all apart already.

 

[cm8809]

Not sure about your question on your windows, I'll wait for someone else to chime in. I just thought I'd let you know that when I replaced my front 2 lock actuators I drilled out the rivets and reinstalled using a simple nut and bolt. Much easier. Makes for easier disassembly in the future, too

 

[rizzjc]

I've seen mention of doing that too, which is probably the easiest way to reinstall. I just don't want to pull the thing out until I understand what's back there. I don't want to stick my hand in there and come out short a few fingers.

The repair manual says to take the window up to support it, which makes sense to me, since it sounds like the spring is fully loaded when in the down position, though I've read that some people here say to put the window DOWN, which might be what causes the problems with the spring. 'Course, then I'm not sure the assembly will come out easily with it fully extended. I replace the regulator on my Lexus, and I swear they put it in before they welded the inside door panel, but it was just an arm, a track, and a plastic busing that wears out - no risk of losing any appendages.

 

[cm8809]

I understand. I don't have vast knowledge of how the window tracks and motor all work together. But for reassembly, I'd recommend drilling any rivets needed and using a nut and bolt for reassembly to save yourself some trouble.
Good luck, hopefully others will have better advice

 

[joe doe]

look at my post here at this link .
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285352

could it be that your track guide has broken away from the door?
my post will be self explanetory when you look at it .

good luck.

could also be the piece that holds the window while it travels .my how to post addresses this as well.

 

[rizzjc]

Thanks for the link. Everything looks secure on mine. Actually, today it seems to be working better - it goes down by itself with the auto switch, but slower than the passenger window. Might just be that things need to be lubed good. I'll lube it up some more, and leave the panel off and see what happens before I start removing anything else. I just used some spray grease to try it out, but maybe something a little thicker needs to be put on all the sliders. Cleaning off the old gunk might have too.

I'll post back after a bit and see if it still seems to be OK.

 

[rizzjc]

Well, after lubing the rails and using the window for a week, it seemed to be working a lot better. Good enough that I was ready to button it up and call it good, though the window wasn't quite as fast as the passenger side.

However, now, like before I replaced the bushings in the motor, when I use the auto-down, the window kits the bottom and the motor keeps going, creating a "ka-chunk ka-chunk, ka-chunk" sound until you press the button to stop it. You can also see the rails trying to move. Seems as if this is the same problem as the bushings being bad ... though I just replaced them. I guess I'll remove the motor again and take a look. Might just replace the motor and not mess with it. The window does function fine for now, so it's better than it was, but I'd rather not have to remove the door panel again in a few months.