two birds with one stone - window & handle

[we350z]

So some of you may have seen my posts about the many problems I have been having with my X5, including the following:

- Driver window not rolling up
- Bent door handle

I am happy to say that I have determined the cause of both of these. Take a look at the following picture (click to enlarge):



The regulator bolt had popped out of the hole that it bolts to in the window. I plugged the window switch back in and shimmied the window up and down a little and then was able to pull the window up back into place. I didn't realize it at first but my bent door handle popped right back into place and is now functioning just fine. The weight of the window must have been pushing on the door handle carrier assembly. The window also rolls up and down smoothly like it did before, although it does sound a little weak so I may still need the replacement regulator I bought eventually.

So i am pretty happy that i was able to figure this out, but my question is how the hell did it pop out of the hole in the first place? Is their supposed to be a washer on the other side of the bolt that popped out of the window hole to prevent this from happening, because i don't see one. I would like to make sure this doesn't happen again because removing the door panel is a whore.

thanks guys

[NBX]

see post #17 on the window regulator link you have - the same thiing was happenig to me - it's the $0.50 clip.

hoepe this helps.

[we350z]

ahh.. i will procure and secure one. Is this the same clip that causes my passenger side window to come up sideways? How many of these clips are there per window. Or are we talking differnt type of "clips" here.

[Zulu95]

If memory serves; Somebody replaced the clip with a cable tie and eliminated the weakness forever!

[we350z]

I thought about doing something like that. Is that the link you have provided (which is missing pictures) on serveral occasions before?

It seems like I could permanently attach the window to the regulator If remove the bolt and add a small washer so it grabs the window. Can anyone please verify for me if there is supposed to be one there to begin with, or does the window just freely sit on the bolt?

Looking at my clip i can't tell if it is broken. I know there has been an issue with clips on this window before (i think it was coming up slanted a couple years ago according to my parents).

Originally Posted by Zulu95

If memory serves; Somebody replaced the clip with a cable tie and eliminated the weakness forever!

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by we350z

The window also rolls up and down smoothly like it did before, although it does sound a little weak so I may still need the replacement regulator I bought eventually.

Keep in mind, if you were putting a strain on the window motor, that might be what you need to eventually replace rather than the regulator. I had a motor go bad on me - it would still work but was very slow. If a regulator goes bad, you won't be able to raise or lower the window at all (in most cases).

[we350z]

ok, thats good to know. the replacement regulator i got did come with a motor. I think for now i am going to leave it alone and see how it goes. I have the whole procedure down now anyway.

[we350z]

is it possible to replace the motor without removing the regulator itself?