97 expy window issue

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Jul 24, 2009 | 10:12 AM

D Ray

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From: VA

97 expy window issue

I've done several searches on this and found some good info but didn't find the actual answer in any of them....

I'm about to replace the window lift motor- front driver's side- and the window is currently down. I know I have to drill out the rivets and apparently the new motor will accept self threading screws.

Here's the question: Based on the haynes manual (instructions kind of vague in there) and search results the window needs to be up and supported (duct tape) to replace the motor. My question is how do I get the window up to replace the motor? Or is it possible to change the window motor with the window down? If it's down all of the way will the window fall even farther or jump out of place when the gear is off of the motor? Right now I can't budge it...

And yes, the door slamming and tapping on the motor worked for a while and now the motor has officially quit working. Checked the switch already and it's fine. Relay is clicking so should be o.k. but may get replaced anyway since it is relatively inexpensive.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

(I accidently posted this in the new Expy forum the first time...sorry guys)

Jul 24, 2009 | 10:21 AM

Autoglass

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From: Louisville,Ky.

Window MUST be up! The glass would be covering up the motor unit and regulator. If you fix it yourself, use MASKING TAPE!!!!!! NOT DUCT! You'll be scraping glue off forever!

Sometimes with the door panel off, you can get the window up by switch and pushing up the regulator. The gears in these units are plastic or Mylar.
Most glass shops usually have the motors in stock, and if they do it it will have a warrantee.

Jul 24, 2009 | 11:16 AM

bnovak

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What's the hurt in manually pushing the window up? The motor's already kaput, and you need it up to replace it anyway.

Jul 24, 2009 | 09:55 PM

alloro

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At the bottom of the window glass is a track that runs horizontally. This track bolts to the window with 2 7/16" nuts. Remove the two nuts, pull the track off the window studs and lift the window up. I've used duct tape to hold the glass up and when I'm done I use goof off to remove the adhesive from the door and glass. However, I have discovered that if you lift up the trim on the outside of the door at the base of the glass and remove it; then use two pairs of paint stirring sticks wedged in between the glass and the outside of the door to hold the glass up.

Don't bother trying to drill out the 6 rivets holding the regulator to the door because it's a real PITA. The pin in the middle of the rivets is hardened. I used a die grinder and cut the heads off the rivets. The regulator and the motor are removed as an assembly.

Jul 24, 2009 | 10:00 PM

alloro

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Oh and a word of warning. When you take the motor off the regulator, the motor mounting bracket and the regulator are are going to snap around and catch your hand in between them. My advice is to tighten a clamp on the 1/2 round gear to prevent this from happening so that your hand doesn't get hurt.

Jul 24, 2009 | 10:01 PM

alloro

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bnovak

What's the hurt in manually pushing the window up?

You can't...the motor uses a worm gear drive and all the pushing in the world isn't going to make it budge.

Jul 28, 2009 | 06:51 AM

D Ray

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From: VA

Done.....mostly with some help from my mechanic. On the older Expy's you can actually replace the motor without grinding off the rivets and removing the regulator. I had actually drilled out 2 of them before learning otherwise. You can drill a 1/2 hole at the 3 dimples to access the mounting bolts on the window motor. Bracing the regulator is a must but apparently you don't have to remove it on the older expy's.

One wierd thing was when the new motor was plugged in the swicth was backwards. Up was down and down was really up. There is only one way to plug in the motor so I just cut the wires and swapped them. Just thought it was odd.

Thanks to all who replied with assistance!