Window regulator reinforcement
 

I started a post a couple of weeks ago about my drivers side window which was stuck in the down position, which turned out to be a broken regulator. While I had it apart, I was curious whether a trick the E46 community discovered awhile back applies to the X5's regulators as well, namely, that the weak part of the regulator tends to be where the plastic clip at the end of the cable where it attaches to the metal runner (not sure of the technical term for the piece) tends to pop out of the runner, and that this can sometimes be repaired by simply wrapping a zip-tie around the clip to hold it to the runner. Taking it a step further, some E46 owners, myself included, have proactively wrapped a zip-tie around the vulnerable piece before it has broken to hopefully prevent it from breaking in the first place. An ounce of prevention vs. a pound (and several hours of work) of cure.

Well, I'm happy to report that the same trick does work on the X5's regulator. This is a picture of piece of our X5's old regulator, where you can see where the clip has broken out of the metal runner:

Attachment 57419
Unfortunately, it was too badly broken to repair.

This is a picture of the new regulator, before I put it in the car, where you can see where I've wrapped a pair of zip-ties around the spot where the clip presses into the runner:

Attachment 57420
I wrapped zip-ties in the same locations on both of the runners

And finally, here's a picture of the new regulator installed in the car, with the zip-ties visible:

Attachment 57421
Hopefully, with this bit of reinforcement of the weak part of the regulator, I won't have to deal with replacing the regulator a year or two down the road, as many X5 owners have had to. As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to wrap the runners with zip-ties with the regulator in the car. When I finish up my Porsche 968 track car project (hopefully in the next week or two), I'll take the door panel of the passenger side door and proactively zip-tie its regulator, so I hopefully won't ever have to deal with replacing it.

I hope this helps others with regulator issues.

:thumbup:Hi multibeemer, useful info. have just replaced my o/s/f/ regulator and wish I had seen this info before job was started. however, I now have two moe problems after putting back every thing. First and most annoying is that my wing mirrors will not close, and the other is that the remote locking on the r.h. door (drivers side in the uk.) does not operate. Can only lock the door with the key.
Could you throw any light on these problems. Regards Noddy:thumbup:

do you get "door open" message? the driver's door has a "anti-lock-out" feature preventing the locking of the door if the door is open - maybe there is a mechanical blockage somewhere in the lock linkage when you reinstalled the door panel?

blockage
 

Hi, I guessed it could be something of this nature, but am abit reluctant to bring off the door panel again. in the end I suppose I must do. Thanks for the help.................Regards Noddy :bustingup PS. I do get the "door" open message

Good post on strengthening the retaining clip. Just wondering whether you have followed the discussion on the clips breaking due to not being supported when the door is closed with the window down. Here is one thread on it

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...egulators.html

Good post. I will be doing this on my current "good" regulators.

Also, I have also read that the actual clip that holds the window in place has been redesigned and with the hex nut is more "robust", 2 per window as far as I remember. part of my springtime regimen is to pop off the door panels, replace these clips and nuts, and now i will also do the zip tie reinforcement to hopefully avoid breaking a regulator.

these are the window clips:

BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L > Search > Window Regulator Clip > ES#94509 Window Regulator Clip - Priced Each - 51338254781

if the fix works for you and lasts it's a great workaround, i did ALL 4 on my wifes e46 and all 4 failed a few months later, so bought some after market all plastic equivalent to the parts that break of the guides, again one side is fine and the other side is 'dying' creaking as you wind down so have bought the whole guides and waiting to find a time to replace...and better weather! crappy engineering