window regulator issue

[David Cullen]

I have been having problems with my window, first off the guide rail was coming off the window itself, I fixed it with some tec 7 )) thought that might do the job but it didn't, the window was getting stuck, if I put small pressure on the top of the glass it would move a bit better going down, no problems going up..... so after some more investigating I found that the reg was held on in the middle via a stupid mount and nut, the metal its held to is crap and over time seems to have ripped its way out of the bracket, there is no fix with using this mount as the metal bracket is torn so I am going to make up a stronger bracket and use a few self tappers etc to fix the reg back to where it should be, will have pics of the fix up when it is done, here are some pics of the issue at hand ;-/ has anyone tried to fix this before? the motor is perfect and strong by the way so I don't want to get a new reg, and even if I did the mounting bracket is fooooked

fix with the tec7 ;-)

ripped reg and you cant see the bracket but its behind the screw hole

this is the stupid design rivet bolt that tore its way off its bracket grrr

so stay tuned to see how this can be fixed

 

[GazHyde]

It's not uncommon for that to happen. As you say it's all a bit flimsy, and after 16 years of being used I guess we will be seeing it more often!

Will be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

[t-tony]

The biggest danger to window movement is lack of lubrication on the runners, slides, pivots etc. This causes the glass to "jam" and the motors are so strong they will break the weakest part, in your case Dave that bolt. When I worked at a Chrysler garage years ago we ordered an electric window motor for a car but subsequently found it was not faulty. My boss told me to destroy it so he could claim warranty on it. We failed to damage it, it was indestructible.
When you have repaired it, lubricate ALL the moving parts that you can.
When I had the nearside door card off my car last year to replace the c/l solenoid I lubed all the window gear and removed to o/s to do the same there. As Gaz said with age of these cars only going up this type of problem will become more frequent.
Shouldn't be too difficult to copy the fixing. Good luck mate, keep us posted.

Cheers, Tony.

 

[David Cullen]

thanks for te advice lads, it was one of the first things I done was jube all the runners and elbows and window guides so that's covered
and I agree Tony, the nut was not the problem, its what it was mounted to was the problem.... im sure I will come up with an easy enough fix, had no tools with me to go at it this evening so hopefully tomorrow I can get some time and nail it down so to speak ;-) will post when I have more on it. my inside handle came off as well so that's another for the to do list ;-/

 

[t-tony]

Always something mate on a classic car, but, as I'm sure you'll agree this what makes these little beauties fun.
A job that's just appeared on my list is replacing the inner door handle trim (n/s) which I realised was missing on Monday morning as I went down the drive to go to work.

 

[David Cullen]

ahh Tony, if I didn't have something to do id be making stuff up lol
how did your trim come off?? easy fix? bit of glue and on you go kinda thing ;-)

 

[t-tony]

I've no idea Dave. It just vanished . I sent Spurs fan in a coupe a message to see if he has one. He sorted me out with a new led brake light for my boot lid a couple of weeks ago. He's a useful guy to get to know.

 

[David Cullen]

hahaha you serious.... vanished?? nothing worse, so now you are looking at replacing the door card... and trying to match like for like :-/

 

[t-tony]

No, just the trim piece It's about 2" x 3" square ish in black plastic , it fits around the inner door handle.I hope Andy has one or maybe a 3 series one might fit.

 

[David Cullen]

ahh right yes ;-) funny how that fell off... you must not have put it back on right Tony lol

 

[t-tony]

I can only blame my wife Dave . I never ride in that seat.

I assume her handbag must have dislodged it.

 

[hard top]

Or you took Bad Boy out for a drive?

 

[David Cullen]

well lets not play the blame game ;-) should be handy enough to pick one up man, ebay will have some I am sure

 

[lightning]

I repaired the same fault on my last Z3 by drilling out the hole in the metal and putting in a bolt, with washers and a nut. then securing tbe regulator part with two more nuts and washers on the bolt.

 

[vintage42]

No, just the trim piece It's about 2" x 3" square ish in black plastic , it fits around the inner door handle.I hope Andy has one or maybe a 3 series one might fit.

Probably PN 51228219024..
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-Z3-1.9-M44_1.9L/Search/SiteSearch/51228219024/ES91389/

 

[David Cullen]

was thinking of something like that lightning, hopefully get at it tomorrow and have pics up then

 

[lightning]

I repaired the fault on my first Z3 back in 2008 so l don't have any pictures.

If the fault does occur you have to repair it quickly, or the regulator can go out of alignment with the glass, and rip the teeth off the drive quadrant.

Sadly on mine l had to fit a new window regulator, as it was too badly damaged. But the bolt repair worked fine and lasted the rest of the time l owned the car.

 

[David Cullen]

unfortunately I didn't get to go at this over the weekend so will be next weekend :-/ door card is still off the door as incentive to get it done lol she be track spec at the moment haha

 

[David Cullen]

ok, so after weeks of not using my window I eventually got round to fixing this problem
its not perfect as the window dosent go down all the way but im happy enough with the fix for the moment and it was very simple, 5 min job.
im not sure what the small block I used is called, think its used in cabinet making for securing box sections but it stops the reg frame from moving with just a self tapping screw holding it on the frame, I will let the pictures do the talking
hope this may help people in the future, or give them some idea what to do for a quick fix

so the block was shoved up behind the reg and screwed in to the impact bar for strong hold

 

[t-tony]

Looks like a fairly good fix to me Dave.