Power Window out of track

[Dwaite7133]

Does anyone know the best adhesive/glue to reconnect the metal track to the bottom of the window? My window will go up, but thanks to an ice storm, wont go down.

 

[Rahmein]

You DO NOT take the window out of the metal track! Look closely, there should be rivets holding the metal brackets in, you're going to have to drill them out and replace them with nuts and bolts. You might have a hard time if you cannot roll the window down because there are holes in your door panel that match up with the rivets when you roll the window down an inch or two, these holes are give you easy access to drill out the rivets. Good luck!

 

[Dwaite7133]

Window already IS completely separated from the two U-shaped metal "brackets" that hold onto the bottom of the glass. No glass-to-metal connection exists. I am talking about where the metal actually touches the glass.

 

[CDW6212R]

I am not sure either, those are supposed to be permanent. I believe some have used RTV, but no one has replied back to say that it does or doesn't work.

I would try to find a strong adhesive that comes in a tube, search the internet. You want something which works well with glass.

Remove those metal brackets from the door first, knocking out the rivet nails is the hardest part. Good luck,

 

[gijoecam]

I would think about using rear view mirror adhesive. It's specifically designed to attach the metal bracket to a glass windshield. It's not going to be easy to work with though as once it's bonded, there's no moving it! Hope you find something that works!

-Joe

 

[CDW6212R]

That's a good thought Joe, but it is designed to be instantaneous. It would take many vials and several hands.

 

[gijoecam]

On that note, what about some other type of anaerobic adhesive? I wonder if Loctite makes a similar adhesive?

There's a guy I work with in the central lab that knows adhesives inside and out. Either him or one of the materials engineers should have an idea what that adhesive is. Let me ask around tomorrow...

-Joe

 

[smec71]

metal 2 window adhesive

go to local napa auto parts store or oreilly automotive and ask for 3M structural adhesive. that's what my local ford dealer told me, it is a 2 tube adhesive. you will have 2 min. to use once it's mixed.:exp:

 

[CDW6212R]

Very good, NAPA is good for having that kind of specialized items.

 

[smec71]

window

i have to do that as soon as it warms up. it will cost $21.00 for the adhesive at napa. it is more simple if u can get the track out of the door to clean the metal tabs, be sure u tape the window up so it don't fall down and break the glass.:exp:

 

[Dwaite7133]

glass-metal adhesive

I like the logic of the rear-view mirror adhesive, but that is holding a stationary RV mirror to a stationary windshield.
If I used that, every time I hit the down button, that's tugging at the bond, and I would be praying I wouldn't hear that THUNK as the bond breaks.
Joe, any luck with your adhesive expert?
Once again, thanks all for your brain power!

 

[gijoecam]

I like the logic of the rear-view mirror adhesive, but that is holding a stationary RV mirror to a stationary windshield.
If I used that, every time I hit the down button, that's tugging at the bond, and I would be praying I wouldn't hear that THUNK as the bond breaks.
Joe, any luck with your adhesive expert?
Once again, thanks all for your brain power!

My apologies... I knew there was something I was forgetting to do today!!

I sent myself an e-mail at work so I don't forget.

On the rearview adhesive, think about it... What happens every time you hit a bump? The whole car shakes, and the mirror is cantilevered out off the windshield. There's a fair amount of pressure on the bond, and it's almost straight tension (never the strongest load for an adhesive bond). The window channel would be in shear, which is generally the strongest bond for an adhesive bond. It might just work!

I'm still curious what the actual material is they use at the factory... Lemme see what I can find out.


-Joe

 

[smec71]

they use a 3m adhesive, like u can get at napa

 

[gijoecam]

I put in an e-mail to our adhesives expert in the lab... If anyone knows what they use from the factory, he will. He might even be able to suggest some alternatives if the original stuff isn't commercially available.

Hang in there...

-Joe

 

[gijoecam]

I no sooner clicked send than the adhesives guru walked into my office... figures!

He said that they use a 2-part urethane adhesive at the factory made by Kent Automotive. Their web site is www.kent-automotive.com and they have an online catalog, and they apparently sell to the public. He said you want to use a 2-part urethane because the 1-part urethanes draw moisture out of the air to cure, and in this dry winter weather, it'll take months for it to fully cure. The 2-part tubes contain the urethane and the hardener combined, so they'll fully cure within a few days, maybe faster at room temp in a garage, so you'll have functionality back in a few days.

From the looks of it, this should work for you...

You might even be able to find a similar type of 2-part urethane adhesive at a local auto parts supply house, or body shop supply house (around here, we have a chain called Painter's supply) He also mentioned that it's the same type of adhesive they use to hold the windshields in place too. Whether it's black or clear makes no difference, so long as it's a 2-part, not a 1-part urethane.

Make sense? Good luck!