Window Regulator guide rail clips
 

They don't seem to last do they? This was just replaced from my Drivers side Window.

http://i.imgur.com/Ijne6kg.jpg?1

You put a little grease on them or you installed them dry?

I had some magnalube that I put on it. The cylinder is held in place with the plastic, but on the actual sliding rail part that the plastic hits the metal I greased it just in case all the way up. It works great now.

Resist to slam the door when the window is down would help extending the life of those clips too.

It's not only lubing the guides. Actually, everything should be cleaned - in time there's grit and dust settling everywhere around where the window is moving and it puts strain not only on the guides but also on the regulator motor. When you change the guide, you will have to clean all the guides and also the slits where the window is moving in the door itself. Then, try to use some Einszett or similar to keep the rubber clean and renewed. Lube and clean all the little pullies as well - whatever is moving.

Hi guys,

I am working with someone to manufacture or 3D print the part that fails most often on BMW window regulators. I think it is show in this diagram. (closest to item 3)

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i DOOR WINDOW LIFTING MECHANISM FRONT

If this part were available, would you have been willing to purchase it instead of the whole new regulator?

you can get the guides from ebay BMW x5 E53 Window Regulator Repair Clips with Metal Slider Rear Right 1999 2007 | eBay

I ordered a set, got them quick but I have not installed them yet as my driver rear is still working fine but there is a good clunk every time I close the door. I might get to that project this weekend.

Holy crap
 

I am so embarrassed. I didn't know they already existed! :banghead:

Thanks for much for the link!

:2thumbs:

I have been known to over research things a bit.... got lucky and found them.

I will let everyone know as soon as I get them in. Looks like rain for the next weekend so it may be a while :(

I was having some bad noises when closing the front doors, lower rear reg attach was loose, nut had come off on the passenger side, driver side the slider is in bad shape but no problems with it(YET)

I got the sliders installed last night. between them being worn out and the 2 clip inserts that go into the glass having most of the 4 tabs broken off, when you closed the door there was all kinds of glass slap. Now it sounds solid as closing a safe door, like it should and did when new.

I think a lot of it was the 2 clips that go through the glass as the rear slider bolt was tight, would still rattle and allow the glass to move. Not any more.

As a door engineer for an automotive company this issue was driving me nuts :pullhair:

Sandbagger, would you suggest doing this for all four doors at once? I'm only having problems with my front passenger door at the moment, but the car is 12 years old, and the way I see it, I'm running a risk of any or all of them going at any time. :rolleyes:

unless your rear doors get a ton of use I dont see any near term failure there.

Front doors are used way way more. I ordered the clips for both front doors at the same time as they were coming from overseas but have only put the drivers side in as that is what I was having issues with.

I would highly recomend replacing the 2 plastic clips that go through the glass as those were broken.

The quality of these replacement parts are horrible. The clearance between the guides and the metal frame of the regulator is excessive on the replacement, this can be seen upon competition by grabbing the glass at the top and moving it forward to back. At some point you will need a new regulator assembly


06 4.8is Imola Red Euro Xenon, Eisenmann Sport
99 M3 Dinan CAI & Exhaust
03 330 XI, 89 325ic, 89 325ix
87 Benz SDL

I dont know about yours but mine are rock solid. There are all plastic versions and I would not touch those, these are the metal/plastic just like original.

My day job is a door engineer and spend a bunch of time on a 4 post shaker rig. The old worn out sliders would let the glass make all kinds of noise when closing/slamming the door.

Its as good as new now, no need to replace the whole regulator.

Now how long will they last? I guess I will find out but its a lot cheaper than $250 for a new regulator

Nice to meet you
 

Hi sandbagger,

I've never met anyone that worked as an engineer for a car company....outside of interviews for jobs.

I have a question: Why can't parts like window regulators be made to never break? In 2014, I figure it's possible to design one to last at least 10 years but I don't think that happens often. I'll even let the car companies get away with calling it a lifetime door if it lasts 10 years. LoL

Any thoughts and insights would be appreciated. I'm hoping to work for a car company in the future.

Cheers

Can we have a long-term feedback on the "slider clips" (each Front door needs 2 clips, and each Rear door needs 1 clip).

There are so many sellers at RegulatorFix.com, ebay sellers from the USA and ebay sellers from Germany, the UK etc.

If people give long-term feedback, can you list the exact link (name of ebay seller) where you get them from?

I bought them on amazon which is shipped by RegulatorFix.


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got mine off ebay from autoteile-okzam still working good

still working well
 

my roommate bought them and his are still working with no problem.

:thumbup:

Very true. Might take a while to break the habit but it helps prolong the life of them for sure.

It always comes down to cost and profitiability. I work in the auto industry. it does not make sense for car companies to enginneer these parts for a lifetime when typically 10 to 15 years is the lifecyle of the product.

Ordered a pair from regulatorfix.com and will report back in a couple of weeks once I get this replaced.

The guide was indeed the issue. It broke off and off the rail. Hopefully the new guide will keep it running for a couple of years.

Exactly two years ago, I replace the front passenger side's window regulator. Had I know the guide method, I would save a hundred buck. Sad thing is those plastic guides broke after two years.