Bad '97 Explorer Driver Window Motor?
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Bad '97 Explorer Driver Window Motor?
Hello,
My wife's explorer driver side front door window has problems going up and down. The motor runs, but you have to help the window go up or down by using your hand to push it. Seems like a gear is either stripped or worn too much. Also, I am able to push the window down by hand without using the motor. I was going to buy a new motor, but I thought I may need the up/down assembly too.
I've already taken the inside cover off to see how hard it would be to replace. Seems like the assembly is riveted in. Would it be too difficult to replace myself? Do I need special tools? BTW, I'm pretty handy in the garage.(ie.. added front spacers to my 04 F150, replaced front bearings on '95 150 4x4 and similar stuff)
For the most part I've stayed away from the wife's explorer, but I think it's time for me to start tearing in to it. It has ~110k miles. I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks
My wife's explorer driver side front door window has problems going up and down. The motor runs, but you have to help the window go up or down by using your hand to push it. Seems like a gear is either stripped or worn too much. Also, I am able to push the window down by hand without using the motor. I was going to buy a new motor, but I thought I may need the up/down assembly too.
I've already taken the inside cover off to see how hard it would be to replace. Seems like the assembly is riveted in. Would it be too difficult to replace myself? Do I need special tools? BTW, I'm pretty handy in the garage.(ie.. added front spacers to my 04 F150, replaced front bearings on '95 150 4x4 and similar stuff)
For the most part I've stayed away from the wife's explorer, but I think it's time for me to start tearing in to it. It has ~110k miles. I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
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From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Sounds like the gear on the motor has gone south, you can get the replacement gear for that motor in the "Help" section of many auto parts stores. If the motor runs I doubt it's bad. After replacing the gear get some silicone lube and lube the window tracks on both sides.
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Fixed
Thanks for the reply.
It's fixed. I looked for the gear only and the parts guy looked at me funny. I described the problem and he said that most people simply replace the whole motor. I bought a new (second hand - refurbished) motor for about 82 bucks (need to take back old one for core exchange) and tore into it.
-Removed the door panel. (man I need one of those panel pulling tools)
-Pull off the plastic sheet (noise barrier?).
-Yanked out the speaker (just for more room).
-The manual says that you have to drill an access hole. I did. There is a "dimple" in the spot you need to drill. I thought that was nice of the ford designers.
-Added a bit of lube to the rail.
-Tested window. IT WORKED!!
-Put all thingsl back.
Now my wife can spend money on the drive through resturants again. I sure liked that she couldn't open that window.
Hope this helps
It's fixed. I looked for the gear only and the parts guy looked at me funny. I described the problem and he said that most people simply replace the whole motor. I bought a new (second hand - refurbished) motor for about 82 bucks (need to take back old one for core exchange) and tore into it.
-Removed the door panel. (man I need one of those panel pulling tools)
-Pull off the plastic sheet (noise barrier?).
-Yanked out the speaker (just for more room).
-The manual says that you have to drill an access hole. I did. There is a "dimple" in the spot you need to drill. I thought that was nice of the ford designers.
-Added a bit of lube to the rail.
-Tested window. IT WORKED!!
-Put all thingsl back.
Now my wife can spend money on the drive through resturants again. I sure liked that she couldn't open that window.
Hope this helps
Last edited by javieljb; Aug 6, 2007 at 08:46 PM. Reason: icon
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Ft. Worth, Tx
Good info picture on power window motor, how did you insret the picture with the tex?
Good info picture on power window motor, how did you insert the picture with the text? I just completed the same task on a 2nd window and blew more time this 2nd time than the 1st.
1. I learned that the motor can br R&R without removing the track as my old instructions indicated removing rivets and track. A Hard Lesson!!
2. Old gear particle got my attention this time and I opened the motor to clean, which I feel was a mistake due to re-assembling brushes "PAINS".
Compared to holding the brushes in place with fine mechanics wire, I feel I should have cleaned with a solvent and brush. The particles had not damaged the existing plastic ring gear that mesh with the metal worm gear. Plus, the int of the motor was sealed from the "mess" but disassembling allowed better cleaning in the gear area.
3. Has anyone disassembled a power window motor (93) and had reasonable success reassembling the motor???
Thanks,
Joe
1. I learned that the motor can br R&R without removing the track as my old instructions indicated removing rivets and track. A Hard Lesson!!
2. Old gear particle got my attention this time and I opened the motor to clean, which I feel was a mistake due to re-assembling brushes "PAINS".
Compared to holding the brushes in place with fine mechanics wire, I feel I should have cleaned with a solvent and brush. The particles had not damaged the existing plastic ring gear that mesh with the metal worm gear. Plus, the int of the motor was sealed from the "mess" but disassembling allowed better cleaning in the gear area.
3. Has anyone disassembled a power window motor (93) and had reasonable success reassembling the motor???
Thanks,
Joe
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Re. letters in the picture. I used Paintbrush to add them, made the filesize smaller, posted on a website and inserted the url into the reply.
I barely have enough time (and patience) to simply replace the motor with a rebuilt one let alone try to rebuild the motor myself.
Here's some more pics:
Close up of holes to remove motor only.
Old motor.
I barely have enough time (and patience) to simply replace the motor with a rebuilt one let alone try to rebuild the motor myself.
Here's some more pics:
Close up of holes to remove motor only.
Old motor.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Ft. Worth, Tx
Bad 93 Explorer Driver Window Motor gear-kit, old and new.
Bad 93 Explorer Driver Window Motor gear-kit, old and new.
I am missing something on posting my picture or something is blocking the image. Do you have to have a special level of usage with the site to attach pictures? May I send the picture to you to post? I would like for you and others to see how simple a gear-kit is
1. The dark gear-kit is the new 20.00 kit ready to be installed with grease supplies.
2. The white gear and aluminum center gear is the left over of the bad gear-kit. The 3 plastic rod bushings that mesh the white plastic gear and aluminum center gear is what failed and is missing in this picture. The 3 failed plastic bushings are crushed plastics particles vs 3 solids.
3. It should be easy to machine or find these 3 teflon bushings or etc..
Thanks,
Jow
I am missing something on posting my picture or something is blocking the image. Do you have to have a special level of usage with the site to attach pictures? May I send the picture to you to post? I would like for you and others to see how simple a gear-kit is
1. The dark gear-kit is the new 20.00 kit ready to be installed with grease supplies.
2. The white gear and aluminum center gear is the left over of the bad gear-kit. The 3 plastic rod bushings that mesh the white plastic gear and aluminum center gear is what failed and is missing in this picture. The 3 failed plastic bushings are crushed plastics particles vs 3 solids.
3. It should be easy to machine or find these 3 teflon bushings or etc..
Thanks,
Jow
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send me the pictures and I'll post.
I don't think I have any special permissions.
I sent you a private message with my email.
I don't think I have any special permissions.
I sent you a private message with my email.
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Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Rory, I used my 1/4" drive ratchet, I beleive the bolts were either 7/16 or 10 or 11 mm.
Also when I took mine apart the 3 teflon bushings were destroyed so I got a piece of 3/8" dowel and cut 3 new pieces and it worked great.
Also when I took mine apart the 3 teflon bushings were destroyed so I got a piece of 3/8" dowel and cut 3 new pieces and it worked great.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Ft. Worth, Tx
I feel all of the basics have been covered by all of us (or please ask more):
1. I doubt you need to remove the rivets, just the gear-kit and drill X socket sizes.
2. The job is simple after during two but the other plastic is aging and waiting!!
3. My 93 @ 106,000 which is a time thing vs Miles, needed door panel to door support.
Joe
1. I doubt you need to remove the rivets, just the gear-kit and drill X socket sizes.
2. The job is simple after during two but the other plastic is aging and waiting!!
3. My 93 @ 106,000 which is a time thing vs Miles, needed door panel to door support.
Joe
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 73
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If you use the "spot free" rinse at the carwash or keep your windows too clean they will stick in the tracks. (Mine always seem to stick "down".) Graphite or silicon lube in the tracks will help. This is when the nylon gear strips. Whenever you take the door panel off is a great time to use multi-purpose grease on everything you can reach. Believe me on this one...........
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