As most people know, the power window regulators on the older Mercedes are not that robust. In the past, when my regulators started to fail, I'd go to a place that took them out, quickly rebuild them, and put them back in. However, that solution doesn't seem to last very long.

Today, on my 1987 300 SDL I'm faced with a driver' s window which will not roll up (the window motor sounds fine), and therefore am re-experiencing the regulator nightmare. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with aftermarket regulators, compared to the highly priced Mercedes ones.

By the way, when I inquired about a new OEM regulator, I was told there are two variants of the regulator. When I called a place which deals with aftermarket parts, there was apparently only one listed.

Thanks!

If you have the metal arm type you will find that the teeth on the gear as worn out in the spot that the window is in now.But as the gear on the motor is made a lot better this will not happen You say you have had this problem before so you no how to go about it.Dont order anything till you have yours out the door and in your hand.Before you start take pictures with camera so you know haw to replace them in the right way My job was fixed with original second hand part from ebay. As long as the gears on the arm is not worn it will be ok to use.You will also have the old motor from yours to keep for the time it goes bad.

The problem is that I am not a do-it-yourselfer. This is the first time the drivers window had a problem. I've had this happen to two other windows, and the problem always is the regulator.

There is, apparently, a good aftermarket part available, and that's what I was wondering about. As far as I know, the regulator and the motor are two different parts.

Peach Parts sells two aftermarket window regulators for your car:

1987 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL Base Sedan - Bumpers, Doors, Latches & Lids - Page 2

Buy an aftermarket regulator from Magneti Morelli....I think I spelled it correctly. I've bot several of their regulators and they work great and cost less than the OEM. PM me if you want comments on the offerings mentioned above from Pelican. In a previous post I think a member noted Mag. Mor. is a division of Fiat.

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'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

You have to be sure that the new regulator matches the motor. There were several different drive gears depending on year and whether your regulator has been replaced with a regulator from another year. I was told by a yard that specializes in German cars that any 126 regulator would work if the matching motor was included.

I believe that most of the mechanical failures of the teeth or bent regulator arms are caused by lack of lube or at least dirt and grit. There are also 2 white plastic slides that help keep things on track. The plastic eventually cracks and the slides must be replaced.

It may be a good idea for you to learn how to remove the door panel and at least clean and lube the track. I've had best results from a complete regulator removal but it can also be a pita to reinstall.

Disconnect the battery until you learn your way around. Of course, you need the battery to move the regulator.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Thanks, guys, for all of the responses.

Yesterday I gave my VIN number to a Mercedes dealership parts department, and found out that either of the two existing OEM variants will work in my car.

It so happens that AutoZone has a regulator for around the same price as Pelican, and carries a lifetime warranty. They're also around the corner from me, which makes the whole process much faster. It's not good security for me to drive around with one permanently open window.

I bought an obscure part for my SDL at AutoZone a number of years ago, at a very good price, and it has never failed. A lifetime warranty is not a bad thing at all.

Also, if the installer says the regulator is not the problem, AutoZone will take the part back. Most other suppliers will not.

Either will fit IF THE MOTOR IS A MATCH OR INCLUDED...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
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My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Question - on my w126 300sd the rear window will rattle a little when it is fully closed? If I crack it open it immediately stops - but then I get the wind noise . I have been trying to self diagnose the issue but am not that familiar with the window operation / structure... Not sure if it is the track or the seals or something else that I am just not aware of?