Rear Window Regulator Clips

[stevekat]

I had both rear window regulator clips failr simultaneously on my E53 X5 when I lowered my rear windows after a long time not doing so.

Since I had success with front clips I ordered a replacement set of rears. I actually ordered two replacement sets. One all plastic and one metal and plastic.

Eventually I got the doors apart. This repair almost surely requires taking out the regulator. I did this. My wires were kinked. I had not ordered them, just the clips themselves. So I did not have replacement wires on hand. Note: some vendors offer the full kits with wires and clips for almost the same cost as just clips.

Thinking I'd try to use the old wires temporally until I got replacement parts, it became abundantly clear that one must be insane to try to rebuild the regulator, with the mess, complication, time and difficulty. What a PITA.

I went online to check out regulators (without motors.) I found alternative for $20 aftermarket to $200 or more for a BMW part.

I opted for a vendor on eBay that seemed better than the $20 units. I paid $39.95 and $36.95 for right and left respectively. I hope to just bolt them in after moving the motors. What looks like a breeze in comparison to fooling with the cables, grease and winding.

Has anyone replaced just the clips on the rear (can they fail without damaging the cables), or replaced just the clips and wires, and feel this is worth the aggravation?

The fronts were a piece of cake in comparison.

[oldskewel]

I did it. Maybe a challenge, but no aggravation.

[stevekat]

Kudos.

I think I could muster the effort if the only option were a $200 BMW regulator. But for the $20 - $39 replacement, I demurred.

That being said, we'll see how the new aftermarket regulators look when they arrive. I did not toss the old ones yet.

[Zulu95]

Last time (but one) that my driver's door failed I went with the OEM BMW part as it is the most used door. I had just replaced the front passenger door about a month previously using a much cheaper Dorman unit. After about 6 months the stupid driver's side failed again and I had to drive about 40 miles in zero degrees to get home. I had a quick fit place come out to my home and do the repair. Turned out to be the stupid clips that hold the glass to the regulator. What a wonderful system this is for those who make money from the parts or labor. Stupid cheap parts made of stupid cheap plastic and little steel cables that wear and break.
My '96 Explorer had real window regulators. How do I know? In the 15 years we owned the vehicle they never broke!