Replace white regulator slider clips only or entire window regulator?

squidzilla · #1 07-18-2015, 07:26 PM

Hello all.

I came out to my auto X to find my rear driver side window down. First I thought I might have pressed my key and somehow got only one window to go down. Nope. The regulator clip is broken. I found small piece inside the door.

I have taped it up with some duct tape while I order some parts. The dealer only has the entire regulator and ebay has white clips.

Have any of you just replaced the white clips on rear? It is not much more for the entire regulator using furious method.com

Since I do not use the auto more than 1k -2k miles max, I really want to do what is easiest and fastest.

I have already taken off the door panel and removed the insulation panel thing.

Thanks.

David.X5 · #2 07-18-2015, 07:42 PM

I bought the white clips for the front but then chickened out. Replaced the whole thing. Wasn't that much work, and they don't need to be adjusted like some cars. No adjustment...

Anyway, happy to send you my white clips if you want, but they fit the front.

Joshdub · #3 07-18-2015, 10:09 PM

I replaced all the clips shortly after buying the car. I had a window fall down into the door and decided that was never going to happen again, especially since winter was just around the corner. You can get them from the dealer for a few bucks and they are easy to change.

David.X5 · #4 07-18-2015, 10:17 PM

Be careful about terminology here. "White Clips" are an aftermarket product that lets you fix (some) broken regulators. It replaces the sliding part of the regulator. It _will not_ work if your cables are damaged from jumping off the pulley, for example.

The small "black clips" are the dealer part that holds the window to the regulator and are about $1.25 from the dealer.

Joshdub · #5 07-18-2015, 10:29 PM

My dealer gave me white clips for the rear and black clips for the front. They looked identical aside from being different colors.

David.X5 · #6 07-18-2015, 10:43 PM

I see. I guess "white clip" isn't a good word choice then. How about "regulator repair clip" versus "window holding clip". The repair clip is aftermarket only - not available from dealers.

I've attached a picture of a set of front "regulator repair clip". You would still need the dealer "window holding clip" which I think is what you bought.

Joshdub · #7 07-19-2015, 12:00 AM

Yeah that is a good idea.

Here is the clip I am talking about and replaced all of. I found all to be cracked if not already broken. When they break the window will no longer be attached to the regulator.

Ricky Bobby · #8 07-19-2015, 10:23 AM

If your cables are good and haven't shredded from jumping off the pulley, theoretically you could be able to replace the white "regulator slider clips" pictured above the the 2 black "window clips" and be in great shape.

squidzilla · #9 07-19-2015, 12:59 PM

Thanks for all of the responses. I sure am glad this happened in the summer and not the winter. My garage is full of motorcycles and my 5 series so the 2 X's and my xi sit outside. Makes me want to tear all of the doors open and replace them all. Overkill I am sure.

oldskewel · #10 07-19-2015, 03:02 PM

Here's a tip, in case it is not common knowledge ...
I replaced just the window clip on my right rear window of my '01 3.0i a week or so ago - did it without removing the regulator or window.

I had replaced the left front regulator when I first got the car (also replacing window clips, bushings, screws, vapor barrier, door panel clips, etc. while I was in there) and bought spares of the small parts, just in case. So that window is fine.

A couple of weeks ago my right rear window fell down inside the door (I was not there, so don't know details). I expected problems again with the regulator clip, but it was fine. Turns out it was just the window clip that was bad. So I used one of my new spares along with a new bushing and replaced it without even loosening any other screws. Took just a few minutes.

BTW, that right rear window had the regulator replaced at the PO's dealer about 100k miles earlier, with no other records of work on it. What I found in there was that the window clip was cracked and held together with electrical tape -i.e., it was kludged rather than just replaced by whomever was the last one in there. The regulator, motor, and door panel clips were all excellent (e.g., only one door panel clip cracked when removing the door panel = fresh).