Power Window Maintenance
 

I once had an '89 260E and I am not making this up: Three power window regulators all went within a week. The two fronts within one hour of each other. I would like to avoid this PITA this time as much as possible. As this car is causing enough P in my A already. Question: What can I do to lubricate the windows so they work freely and don't put unnecessary strain on the regulators? What lube should I use?

I Did It!!
 

Alright. I took apart my door panel and greased the window tracks as well as the moving parts of the regulator and WOW!! what a difference. I would suggest this to anyone with an older Mercedes as the regulators aren't the best. You will be pleased by the difference.

I wish I had done the cleaning thing to mine before the regulator failed. The new one isn't built as well as the old one was. It flexes when pushing the window up and doesn't sound as good. I've adjusted it a couple of times, as much as one can.

I am definately pulling the panels on the other doors to clean things up, since they are slowing down.

What kind of grease did you use? My driver's side seems a little slow in the cold.

which set of directions did you use to dismantle the door panel?
 

Andre - I'd be curious to learn which set of instructions you used to take apart the door enough to gain access to the regulators. That sounds like a nice weekend project I can do on the 300sel.

I used white lithium grease for the metal tracks. Silicone spray for the rubber tracks (where the window slides when it is up), and ATF on the metal semi-circular gear that runs through the motor.

For instructions I used my Haynes manual and this message board.
Also try: http://mb.braingears.com/124_DISC1/Program/matrix.htm

This is the first time I've done this so I'm not claiming to be an authority. Make sure to first clean all related surfaces, however.

And be careful and gentle with the door panels. I had a good friend help me do this and it went very smooth. That centre clip was a pain, though.

that braingear website is majorly broken
 

I hate to say it, but none of the links I tried on that site work.

Having said that, the front end is nice, and the article topics look interesting.

I'm going to take a look for a manual like you mentioned.

Sometimes the site goes down. Try again once in a while, it's a great resource.

Don't forget the motors too
 

I have had success restoring a few stuck windows by unscrewing the Bosch motors, pulling them out and rotatting and lubricating the plastic worm gears.
This works whether the Bosch's are installed on Mercedes' or on Fords:) .

Tom