door cover nearly removed

[pchbreeze]

I am on my way to checked the power windows and I've removed everything except the part around the door level (the one you pull to open the door). What holds this in place? I need to access the power windows goodies to see what's keeping it from going up all the way.

Thanks

[280SE Guy]

Under the door handle there is a black plastic shield, just pry the black plastic shield out with a small screw driver to gain access to a philips screw that holds the chrome surround for the door handle. Remove the screw, remove the chrome surround, then lift your door panel up at the front of the door to release it. There is a tab at the front of the door pocket, that is why you must lift the front.

I'm assuming when you said you removed everything you also "popped" the retainers around the outside of the door panel. Remember there is a tab at the front of the door pocket, don't try to "pop" that one loose.

Did you also remove the top cap of the door, if not you will need to remove the three wood pieces around the window, unscrew the door lock knob, the lift or push the door cap up to remove it. The door cap is held on in 4 places. It might also help if you use a small putty knife to assist you when pushing the door cap up. Be sure to undo all 4 fasteners before lifting on the door cap.

280SE Guy

[pchbreeze]

Great success! The gears on the driven side seemed fine and since it was only stuttering when up to the top I made sure it was reaching all the gears to reach the top (it was). So I ran it up and down while out and it was merely slipping because the gear (driven) was somewhat sideways (i guess it's the best way to describe it). It's as if years of weight made this thing go 'diagonal' and simply put, not sit flat (gear on the housing).

There's a triangle shaped housing with a plastic bushing there to put pressure on it to stay flat. The plastic bushing actually looked like it was in pretty good condition. There was another one somewhere that was relatively 'new' condiiton and compared to that, this one showed little if any wear.

So anyways, this support flange housing whatever it is needed to be bent a bit so it would hold the gear flat against the housing, so that the gear would not slip. I supported the regulator assembly on my knee and with one hand (from underneath) making sure the motor housing was not making contact with me, and then I hammered on the other end of that bushing part and it worked...went up to the end without stuttering. I hammered it a few more times for good measure and re-assembled.

I read somewhere that some of these were made out of aluminum so I figured that mine was so and I'm sure I was right. I doubt it would have bent so easily otherwise.

And now that I know how to take the guts out of the door, I can work on the rear two, which barely budge at all. I believe those just have this 'petrified' grease that I've read in other threads. If the motor works fine disassembled, a good de-greasing and cleaning should do it.

(cliff notes: thanks 280SE Guy!)