driver's door power window regulator problems

Driving down the road yesterday, rolled up the window and it clunked at halfway point and wouldn't go any further. Got the door panel off tonight and sure enough it was out of the side felts, both front and rear. Jockeyed it back into place and now it seems like its in the tracks, and it works both up and down, BUT loud clunks about every 1-2" of window travel and very choppy motion. Something is still definitely not right. I was thinking one of the rollers was broken off, but all those I could see looked intact and were straight. I did not have time tonight to look into it too deeply, but was wondering if my symptoms sound familiar to anyone??

Full disclosure, I had been noticing a slight clunk when rolling up at that same half way point for quite some time now, but it never affected operation.

Thanks.

I have in the past taken the window out and run the motor up and down to see if it’s the regulator or the window, maybe tape the window in the open position and disconnect the track and run it sometime the regulator is just worn out, Good Luck

Preston said:

I have in the past taken the window out and run the motor up and down to see if it’s the regulator or the window, maybe tape the window in the open position and disconnect the track and run it sometime the regulator is just worn out, Good Luck

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Thanks for the reply. I got the regulator out tonight and some of the rollers do look pretty suspect. Or maybe it's the coil spring. I don't know, it's for sure getting replaced at any rate. After I did the original post last night I looked on Rock Auto and found a bunch of options and was pleasantly surprised on price. Not worth it to try and replace rollers and other parts.

I did slide the window up and down once I got the regulator out, it operates smoothly, felts are in good shape. Hopefully regulator will solve the problem.

GREAT sounds like an easy fix, so glad you figure it out. That’s Usually the hardest part figuring out what needs to be fixed.

Double check the rail at the back of the window. The bottom bracket is notorious for rusting and breaking.

Well crap. Got my new regulator installed tonight and it’s still making the clunk every inch or two of window travel. Pulled the damn thing out again and ran the regulator/motor plugged in but outside of the door. Clunk is 100% coming from the motor. I even unbolted the motor from the regulator and ran it back and forth by itself to be sure. New motor probably would have fixed it, but I’m not too sad about replacing the regulator too, seems like a worn out regulator could cause premature motor failure anyway.

Snoots said:

Double check the rail at the back of the window. The bottom bracket is notorious for rusting and breaking.

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Thanks for mentioning this. In my adventures tonight installing/removing/etc the regulator I did have the window all the way out and checked this. I am experiencing some rust and detachment here, but it is only on the first 2 inches, before the rail that the roller slides in starts. I don’t think it’s contributing to my problem, roller rail is sound, but I think I’ll need to keep an eye on this. Is that part even replaceable? Do you take it to an auto glass shop to have it replaced?

I think, IIRC, that it's welded to the rail and that LMC sells them.