Window Clip Broke - do I need to replace the regulator or just the clip?

hawkeye12345 · #1 09-13-2011, 01:52 PM

If its just the clip, what is the part number?

The drivers side window ended up sticking in the down position. I pulled the door panel off and was able to determine that the left clip had broke. It appears that the backside must push through the glass and clip in place with some kind of plastic snap. The snap is broke. Other than this one clip being broke, the regulator works fine. Once I placed the window back in the clip it went up and down several times before it fell out again.

Thanks for your help in advance.

hawkeye12345 · #2 09-13-2011, 02:10 PM

One add'l question. Assuming I can replace the clip, what is the process to remove the clip and replace with new one? Do I need to remove the entire regulator or can this be something that is done by removing the bolt at the bottom and sliding the regulator over to slide it off/on?

hawkeye12345 · #3 09-13-2011, 02:11 PM

The clip in question is metal.

btmed · #4 09-13-2011, 02:15 PM

Just did mine this weekend. I replaced both rail clips. Dont have the bill in front of me but you can call local bmw parts store and ask for rail clips for your model. Bout the only thing i would buy from them. Or go to realoem.com and you can look it up there. The clip is held on by a bolt that goes thru the metal carrier and window and threads into a cylindrical nut that you place into the clip from the rear. You may have to feel around in the bottom of the door to find it.

btmed · #5 09-13-2011, 02:29 PM

If it the plastic clip you can replace it without removing the regulator. If it is the metal carriier that is broke another story. That carrier broke on this same window a year or 2 ago. Search - repair window regulator - there is a post titled "my third window regulator" bout 8 posts down there is a flicker video showing a guy repairing his carrier. I did this but didnt even take the regulator out of the door.

hawkeye12345 · #6 09-13-2011, 02:25 PM

I despise our local BMW stealership. I just called to see if they have part #51338254781 in stock. Of course they do but the price is $4.00 per clip.

hawkeye12345 · #7 09-13-2011, 03:39 PM

It was the plastic clip. I went to the stealership and purchased the plastic clip part #51338254781. It took an 8mm wrench (didn't have an 8mm socket or would have used that) and a little bit of patience. The screw was still attached to the broken clip so fortunately I didn't need to fish around in the door well to find that.

Next up is fixing the door handle that broke when the window got lodged and I pulled too hard. Not entirely sure how that was possible but either way its just another DIY project for the weekend.

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

SlowRider · #8 09-15-2011, 07:17 PM

That's good that the plastic clip solved your problem. I went through the same process and replaced the plastic clip, but it turned out that the broken clip was just a symptom of the original problem: damaged cast metal in the regulator (the metal piece connecting the cable to the rails)