The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Window regulator blow out!

So being my first full resto, I made the mistake of using a lot of reproduction parts due to the originals not being there or destroyed. well needless to say ive had my first issue. The driverside window regulator blew out after about ten uses. its broke internally while at the upholstery shop being rolled down. I had been assisting the window (by hand) from the start due to it being very tight in the felt track. Brothers has already agreed to replace it free but its only a matter of time till the pass side does it as well....

What im curious about is why its so tight and what should be done to possibly resolve this issue.

I will let it be known the window frames are gloss powdercoat so they are a bit thicker then normal but i doubt that would cause all this issue.

just bad production parts?? what should i recommend to the customer to remedy this as I will be leaving monday for air force BMT and only have this weekend after it comes back from upholstery to finish it up. just curious what people have seen or done with this issue.

thanks Marc

I've always found the windows very tight with new felt channels and needing quite awhile to wear in, I don't think there's much to be done about that part .... never had a winder fail because of it

Bill

The reproduction winders do not compare to the originals. On the originals their weak spot is usually the splines where the knob attaches which can be replaced. There have been similar posts here before about the quality and life of these items. I would source good originals and get your money back from Brothers.

Back in the day we always lubed the channel felt with silicone spray. Does wonders for tight fits but be careful if you're going to be doing any painting.

Most often the problem is the new glass. A lot of bolters have found the new glass was not "sized" right. Most glass shops rely on you bringing in an old glass for the pattern, and if it was not an original it could cause a poor fit. I think theres a website where you can get a pattern? Instead of silicon spray, try to rub some bar soap in the glass runs. Also the window channels have some adjustment, check to make sure thier postioned right.

Like Yakima says, some aftermarket glass is poorly sized.

Another good 'lube' is graphite powder if you can find it.
It's a good alternative to the silicone spray.

well the sub is going back to the owner today as i ship out for basic monday so ive taken it as far as i can.

as far as the issue. the glass was already in the truck but he converted to one piece door glass( no wing window) years ago so all i did is change the actual glass but that doesnt affect the felt slides because the glass doesnt make the metal frame larger or wider. I believe because i have the glass frames powdercoated they got a little tighter plus the fact that the regulators are garbage. they werent that easy even without the felt.

basically its in someone elses hands now so......

thank you for all the responses and i will forward the info to them!

Marc-soon to be USAF trainee