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Subject: Some new information on window motor replacement Author: sdmike1 as SDmike : member since December, 2005 : 21837 posts Posted on: 2007-10-06 17:04:53

I've my new window regulator in, and I'm about to close up the patient. This was a much, much easier process than I expected given the writeups. I thought I'd share what I learned.

First off, you take the door panel off the way it has been documented here a million times. That's not hard, just time consuming. Once you get the door panel off it's really pretty simple. Here are the steps that I used, with some pictures from others where I could find them...

1. Remove the bottom chrome window trim from the inside lip. I'm actually not positive that this needs to come out, but I did and it's pretty simple. You just pry it up gently while releasing it from the 5 clips that are attached to the lower window edge.

2. Remove the center pillar trim from the inside of the window. It simply pulls out using your fingers along the forward edge. Once the cover is removed you will see three screws that hold the outside trim in place. Here is a picture from the inside showing the three screws. Remove the screws.



Next, remove the rubber trim on the inside of the window frame. This is the trim that serves as the track for the window on both sides and the top. You remove this by pulling up and out on the bottom on one side, and working your way around. Here's a picture from Brian's post showing the trim.



Now here's where we found an easier approach to removing the window. Once the inside trim is out, lean the outside pillar trim out at the top of the window, while leaving the bottom of it in place. Here's a picture of the trim I'm talking about, but in this picture they are sliding it up and removing it instead of just leaning it out at the top. The reason for leaning it out is that the window is still sits in this track after the rubber trim is removed. Leaning it out allows you to slide the window up and out of this track very easily without removing any of the plastic or rubber window trim that others have removed.



Now unbolt the window from the motor and begin lifting it up, leaning the top of it away from the window frame, and up the track that is now leaning out at the top. Sorry I can't describe it better, but once you're at this point you will see what I'm talking about. You simply lift the window straight up out of the frame, and since that outer pillar piece is leaning out, it guides the window right up and out, clearing everything with ease.

The good news is that the window goes back in just as easy. Slide it down into the door from the top, and use that pillar track (that is leaning out, remember) to guide it right into the door frame. Secure it loosely to the window motor so you can still maneuver it while installing the rubber trim on the inside of the window frame. Reinstall and secure that outside pillar piece next, and then reinstall the rubber window trim.

That's it...then you just put the door back together.

The big difference from the other posts is that it's very simple to remove the window just by removing the inner rubber guide trim, without needing to remove the outer trim, etc. that I've seen in other posts. Sorry no pictures, but if you have any questions just let me know.

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1999 Royal Red: 16:9/MK3, Basslink, ipod DICE, Mpars, tint, 01 corners, angel eyes, Zaino

• Some new information on window motor replacement (pic) - SDmike 2007-10-06 17:04:53 (13987 views)
  • Another short cut is to remove the door panel, remove insulation, remove bolt - bmw635 2007-10-06 18:36:55 (995 views)
    • I was unable to get access to the top right bolt that way (nt) - SDmike 2007-10-06 22:18:54 (596 views)
      • Box wrench? Did you do that with glass still on on the reg? I disconnect - bmw635 2007-10-06 23:18:30 (458 views)
        • Did you come up from the bottom with a box wrench? - SDmike 2007-10-07 13:53:29 (407 views)
          • Yea, removing the glass increase the risk of scratching the tint. (nt) - bmw635 2007-10-08 00:19:19 (381 views)
    • Re: Another short cut is to remove the door panel, remove insulation, remove bolt - jabrooks 2007-10-06 19:09:53 (490 views)
      • I used a box end wrench to loosen the bolt holding glass to regulator as the - bmw635 2007-10-06 19:21:28 (375 views)
        • Anybody got TIS on window regualtor? Just curious what BMW rec'd. (nt) - bmw635 2007-10-06 19:30:18 (443 views)
          • TIS Window removal (url) - zapperjoe 2007-10-06 22:42:26 (711 views)
            • cool. that's exactly what we did (nt) - SDmike 2007-10-07 13:55:05 (327 views)
  • Too funny - just did mine last nite! (pic) (url) - jabrooks 2007-10-06 18:26:33 (1166 views)
    • you didn't have to snip that door light wire. It comes out easy.. - SDmike 2007-10-06 22:24:33 (359 views)
  • Wanted to add a picture...this is why these window motors fail (pic) - SDmike 2007-10-06 17:26:19 (1182 views)
    • What is typical life of these? How are they attached to the frame? - Mark740iL 2007-10-06 20:11:56 (489 views)
      • Being plastic, climate is probably a big factor.. - RobinK 2007-10-07 05:47:03 (437 views)
        • robin..what wheels do you have on your car? (nt) - SDmike 2007-10-07 13:56:03 (361 views)
      • one of the pulleys bolts on, but the other uses a rivet-like attachment - SDmike 2007-10-06 22:20:44 (464 views)