Help Front Left Window regulator replacement

mohan · #1 07-23-2011, 07:03 PM

Greetings,
My window is stuck down all the way in. I have followed the DIY to remove the door panel (one screw was stuck), but all the instructions assume the windows are working, I cannot get it up enough to detach from the regulator. Is there a trick? I tried pushing from the bottom, but no movement. So how does one detach the window from the regulator..any help is much appreciated....

Thanks
mohan

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mohan · #2 07-23-2011, 08:21 PM

Do I have to unscrew the window regulator first and then somehow move it up enough to access the window retaining screws? In a door panel removed state

TerminatorX5 · #3 07-23-2011, 08:59 PM

recently i had to replace the regulator on the front left door. the glass was wedged and did not want to move. If you are going to replace the regulator and not recycle it, you may wish to consider snipping the cables, and wiggle the glass to the point where you can disengage the glass from the carrier.

Do you have a replacement regulator already?

btmed · #4 07-23-2011, 10:53 PM

When I started to replace my driver side it was because the plastic clip brokeat the rear of the window. It wasn't the regulator. I did have torso ace passenger rear. The window basically tilted back and would get stuck. Try grasping the back part of the window pulling up. I ended up just wiring the clip back together around the cable. Been working the past two years.

TerminatorX5 · #5 07-23-2011, 11:06 PM

BT is right, those cheesy clips that hold the glass break all the times, so far I had replaced them on 3 out of 4 doors, the 1st two I had to replace the whole regulator things, as when the window went out of commission, we tried to push the buttons to move the glass, and that operation totally killed the regulators' plastic pulleys. On the last door, as the glass died inside, we did not touch anything, until i got the panel off, and it was the clip. So, i ordered about 10 clips (dealer was suprised to see the quantity) and about 20 snap-on clips for the panel trip (as they break left and right) and just swapped the broken clip for a good one.

I think, having those clips on hand is a good invenstment, they are about $1.20 a piece, and the panel clips are about a $.25 a piece... so, I stocked up... lol...

mohan · #6 07-23-2011, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

recently i had to replace the regulator on the front left door. the glass was wedged and did not want to move. If you are going to replace the regulator and not recycle it, you may wish to consider snipping the cables, and wiggle the glass to the point where you can disengage the glass from the carrier.

Do you have a replacement regulator already?

Thanks for the info..yes I do have the replacement regulator, bought it just in case..will try to snip the cables..then

mohan · #7 07-23-2011, 11:56 PM

ok..Before I try to cut the cable..wanted to give the other suggestions..Here is what I find..I think the left side of the glass appears to move freely..the right side of the glass (bottom) is where it is stuck or jammed..I have been little bit gentle as I don't want to break the glass..does that shed any clue..Also looks like the left side the screw seems to be off..looks like the previous owner or whoever did the job tried to salvage whatever was there..
If I snip the cable will the glass come off or slide up easily? Thanks..

TerminatorX5 · #8 07-24-2011, 12:08 AM

before snipping the cables, make sure that the wiggling does not help, because you might wiggle yourself out of replacing the whole thing and doing just the clips and if not, you still might need the clips anyways, as the regulators do not come with the clips...

The window clips are 51 33 8 254 781, for $1.11 a piece from BMW of Fairfax mail order, and panel clip is 51 41 8 224 781, for $0.24 from the same place.

TerminatorX5 · #9 07-24-2011, 12:16 AM

you might want to try to tap on the window switch (you would need to reconnect the window switch back) and move the lifting mechanism up (or down) to align the plastic clip (or what is left of it) with the hole on the glass. The plastic clip probably broke off, and the glass wedged itself under its weight. Make sure that the door is open, when you tap the switch, you don't want the lifter go up (or down) in one single swoop... you know, when the door is open, the glass is moving as long as you hold the switch.

X5Cat · #10 07-24-2011, 04:25 AM

Anxious to hear how this works out. Got same problem with my DS front window on my '01 X5. Ordered the clips a couple of weeks ago, but have not installed yet. Been wondering if I am wasting my time and maybe the new clips, without replacing the regulator. Terminator, you have me thinking again it is just the clips.

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