Should I Preemptively Change Window Regulators?

[ChiefRider]

My '04 with 200k miles is on all but one of its original window regulators. Last year, the right rear door glass dropped to bottom and required a new regulator assembly.


I am expecting to arrive at the airport, etc. for long term parking only to lose a window and be screwed. What sayeth the board? Do I replace all the remaining regulators (and door handle carriers) or do I replace the various plastic clips and lubricate the existing regulators?


If I replace, what brand is currently reputable?


Anyway, thanks for the consult!

[jsoto]

Unless it's murphys law and you open your DS window to get a parking ticket/voucher and it breaks......COuld just keep a role of duct tape in the trunk.

I would say leave it alone till it breaks

[wpoll]

There's a saying that applies here I think.

If it ain't broke...

[EODguy]

It soon will be.... :

Originally Posted by wpoll

There's a saying that applies here I think.

If it ain't broke...

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[oldskewel]

I vote for buying the parts and storing them until the inevitable happens. For the window regulator, specifically, I'd buy the window clips, regulator clip(s), door panel clips, JBWeld, and zip ties (unless you've already got all those things). I personally think the best fix is to repair the OE one, with those parts, applying the JBWeld to address the design flaw.

For me, I like fixing stuff, but I don't like taking something apart to inspect, figure out what parts I need, order them, wait, try to remember whatever I did to take it apart, etc. A lot more fun and efficient if you've got the parts on the shelf and can do it all in one session.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by wpoll

There's a saying that applies here I think.

If it ain't broke...

Fix it before it breaks.....

[andrewwynn]

I was going to because my driver window was almost half the speed of the other windows.

Instead I discovered It just needed some lubricant. Sprayed some dry lube on the track and the window sped up 60% and matches the other windows now.

Lube the window rails and prevent the breakage in the first place. If it's 60% more difficult the stress is going right to the regulator.

[crystalworks]

Zip tie mod, sliders, and new widow clips on all the oe regulators before anything breaks. Best peace of mind maintenance you can do on these.

If a regulator does go... Order a used oem one and do the mods/maintenance on install.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Zip tie mod, sliders, and new widow clips on all the oe regulators before anything breaks. Best peace of mind maintenance you can do on these.

If a regulator does go... Order a used oem one and do the mods/maintenance on install.

Since I love JBWeld, I'd do that in addition to all the above (similar purpose to the zip ties). But I would not necessarily do them all pre-emptively. But if you ever have the door panel off to change the door handle carrier, etc., that may be a good time to do it.

But I have also found over the ~one dozen door panel removals in the past few years, that I will try to do things in pairs - so left and right sides. If one side has failed, I'll have all my tools out, will have all the little tricks figured out to make it go quickly, and will just do both sides. You know how whenever you finish a job you think, wow that took a while, but if I had to do it again right now, I could do it in ___ minutes. Everything on the doors seems like that to me.

BTW, rebuilding my engine now, ordering a few parts at a time as needed, as I go, I often need to spend just a few more $$ to get free shipping ... and door panel clips are my go-to items to fill the cart. Guaranteed to need those some day.

[weiln12]

My rear left regulator failed on Friday. I ordered the parts and as soon as they're in I'll get it fixed. I nearly always drive with the windows down, so they get used very frequently. Due to this, it's important to me to pro-actively replace them. They don't appear to be that hard to replace, and for $100 delivered it's worth it to me to pro-actively do them.

I'll do them one at a time to spread the cost, but I definitely would be pro-active. Just keeping duct tape doesn't really help since you have to take the door apart and do half the job to get the glass back up. And it's embarrassing to have a plastic trash bag over my broken window for a week.