Servicing side windows

[Vinnie]

Hey folks,

Now that my engine troubles seem to be gone (YAY!) I'd like to work on something cosmetic again. One thing that's always been annoying are both side windows. They do not roll down smooth at all and the pass. side window goes crooked when rolling back up.

So I guess I have to take the door panels off and have a look at the mechanism. I understand the panels are held in place by a few screws and clips. Once removed, can I re-use the panels? Do I need new clips?

I'm thinking about starting with the pass. side. Any tips or a small overview of the process from people who've done this would be most welcome

Thanks,

Vincent.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Pick up a door panel removal tool to give yourself a fighting chance to keep clip damage to a minimum when you remove it.

Removing all the dried up grease and crud from the tracks is always a good start.

 

[Vinnie]

But the clips can easily be replaced?

 

[Omie01]

If you have aftermarket panels the clips are easy to replace, the original cardboard maybe not. The biggest factors to my windows being sloppy were the little plastic guide wedges, and the window pads that keep it aligned with the body. I replaced the pads with foam, and found some felt like material at a local fabric store that matched the original pretty close and re-wrapped the pads. I found some good used guide wedges at West Coast Classic Cougar, but I found you can build up the worn legs with clear epoxy too. Then I re-adjusted all my window stops and made sure they were in good shape. I had some missing stops, and one of the windows was missing one of the stop wheels!!?? P/O got really lazy toward the end of his so-called restoration. Then I cleaned all the tracks, and re-greased them with white lithium grease. Now everything works smooth, and I have NO window rattles!! Most of the work is self-explanatory, just take your time and do it right the first time. It will be worth it!! Good luck!!

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Sorry, should have been a bit more thought out when I typed that...I was referring to damage to the cardboard backing of the door panel that the clips slide into more than the clip itself. When it comes to the clips, they have a tendency to bend on occasion when snapped back into the holes in the door itself. Once a clip gets bent out of shape, I've found it's almost impossible to bend it back so it works properly.

Anyway, it's a good inexpensive tool to have in the toolbox.

 

[Vinnie]

I have a tool for it I believe. I just don't want to screw up the panel itself because they seem to be very expensive and I can't afford new ones right now...

 

[Mister 4x4]

You can get new clips from any of the vendors.  Be advise though: there are 'stock' and 'extended' clips.  The 'stock' clips don't see to always make it all the way to 'secure,' IMHO.  I ordered a set of the 'extended' clips, and they seem to do a better job.

Mine are repop panels... not sure if that makes a difference, though.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Once you get all the door panels off I take the whole mechanism out wash all the old grease off everything and use Red N Tacky made by Lucas, https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=red+and+tacky+grease&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=3527249228&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3qtbcoq00z_e

You can get at any parts house it is much better than the old white grease they used then. Put on the rollers, on the guides, rails, tracks and window regulator. If you were to have power windows works great in the gearboxes also. I use in my wiper motor rebuild also.

You will be amazed at how easily they go up and down with good cleaning and new lube and no rattles.