front window regulator e53 general query

[omodos]

Originally Posted by TCMoto

On my LF door it was a part on the window regulator that broke. On my RF door the same part on the regulator broke and one of the black clips that attach the glass to the regulator broke. In both cases I replaced the regulators and clips. The motors were fine. I used BMW regulators because I plan to drive the car for a long time.

While you're in the door cavity you may want to consider replacing the door handle carriers if you haven't already. I've had to replace both LF and RF. Same failure on both in the same location. I believe they are cast aluminum and will crack eventually. I recommend going with genuine BMW on these as well.

Thanks mate, i think it must be clip gone, am not getting a funny noise anymore but if the window is down it makes a vibrating noise means that hex bolt via the clip that may have broken or become loose is not holding it snug...the door carrier did it 2 years ago....may do the zip tie fix as well but use wire as I have seen what happens to zip ties of all brands and quality after a bit of heat treatment the crumble too.....as a pre-emptive measure whilst it is all open will use wire like i did on wifes e46

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by haigha

Two questions:

1. What type of grease is best?

2. Do you recommend doing the zip tie fix when using the regulatorfix clips?

I don't recall what I used, but I'm guessing I used Super Lube since I regularly have that on hand.

I did not do the zip tie fix, but it couldn't hurt.

AM.

[X5chemist]

To install the clips, I followed this guy's tips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwFFd7OJGaI

[haigha]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

I don't recall what I used, but I'm guessing I used Super Lube since I regularly have that on hand.

I did not do the zip tie fix, but it couldn't hurt.

AM.

I appreciate your response. Interesting video shared by X5chemist. That wasn't the part that broke on mine. We did replace the black plastic clips anyway, but reused the original bolts and bushings.

We also used the Super Lube silicone grease:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081JE2PQ/

I also had this one, but my mechanic friend prefers the one with silicone above when using on plastic:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042FG74W/

We didn't do the zip tie trick. The regulatorfix replacement clips seem to have a little more flexibility built-in compared to the metal and plastic design. So we decided to skip that for now. The original clip had become brittle after 19 years, even though I'm careful with the driver's door.

Everything went well, except now I have a likely related problem. I'll start a new thread for that.

The helpful tips in this thread and others, like the AWR-fix ones, were great! Thanks to all

[omodos]

Originally Posted by haigha

I appreciate your response. Interesting video shared by X5chemist. That wasn't the part that broke on mine. We did replace the black plastic clips anyway, but reused the original bolts and bushings.

We also used the Super Lube silicone grease:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081JE2PQ/

I also had this one, but my mechanic friend prefers the one with silicone above when using on plastic:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042FG74W/

We didn't do the zip tie trick. The regulatorfix replacement clips seem to have a little more flexibility built-in compared to the metal and plastic design. So we decided to skip that for now. The original clip had become brittle after 19 years, even though I'm careful with the driver's door.

Everything went well, except now I have a likely related problem. I'll start a new thread for that.

The helpful tips in this thread and others, like the AWR-fix ones, were great! Thanks to all

Re lubes i just went with what looked like was on the existing runners on the wifes e46, re clips i have installed and they been on the e46 for years now, and i refer to the full plastic clips that indeed seem to be made of less prone to going brittle plastic..ordered a set too and will put em on once they come...ALTHOUGH my weird noises on wind down and up have gone I still get the sound of the window rattling when it is say halfway down, so those black clips that go through the glass must be bad too....gonna do the zip tie preventative fix but with wire not a zip tie, or even a metal zip tie if possible to do so without it hindering or snagging anywhere....will post pics