Window regulator
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Teching In
Joined: May 2011
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Window regulator Before you say use the search feature I have. I have found countless threads on replacing the motor, leaving the regulator in place.
Well, I pulled into the garage yesterday and the passenger window just fell into the door (95 firebird). I pulled the panel off and the 4 1/4" rivets that held the regulator in place had been pulled through the door. I've got the regulator out of the door and removed the old rivets now I need to reinstall but I don't have access to a rivet gun that will do 1/4.
My question:
Is it possible to bolt it in?
I could buy one from oreilly's/autozone but don't really want to blow $40 on something I will use once in my life. It looks like I can get bolt's in there I just don't know if they are going to interfere with the regulator's movement.
Well, I pulled into the garage yesterday and the passenger window just fell into the door (95 firebird). I pulled the panel off and the 4 1/4" rivets that held the regulator in place had been pulled through the door. I've got the regulator out of the door and removed the old rivets now I need to reinstall but I don't have access to a rivet gun that will do 1/4.
My question:
Is it possible to bolt it in?
I could buy one from oreilly's/autozone but don't really want to blow $40 on something I will use once in my life. It looks like I can get bolt's in there I just don't know if they are going to interfere with the regulator's movement.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
There are issues with this. There is a special type of rivet for that regulator, if you use the wrong ones then the mounting holes will enlarge over time and you'll have to install some sort of custom mounting plate to mount the regulator to. There are several threads on this, though I don't have one handy to link to at the moment.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2011
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We don't have a harbor freight around here. There is walmart, lowes, menards, orielly's and autozone.
I just got back from the hardware store with nuts, bolts, and a hand full of washers and gonna try to rig this puppy up. Seems like it will work if I can get the nut started on the bolt from inside the door.
I just got back from the hardware store with nuts, bolts, and a hand full of washers and gonna try to rig this puppy up. Seems like it will work if I can get the nut started on the bolt from inside the door.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
There are issues with this. There is a special type of rivet for that regulator, if you use the wrong ones then the mounting holes will enlarge over time and you'll have to install some sort of custom mounting plate to mount the regulator to. There are several threads on this, though I don't have one handy to link to at the moment.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
Hopefully I can get it to stay securely with bolts, actually going up and down will be a bonus but for right now I need to get it out of the garage so my GF can park in there.
Bolts will just tear up the door more. If the old rivets pulled through the door skin, I'd think they wouldn't hold a new piece of hardware securely. You'll need to do the plate fix:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...-included.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...-included.html
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2011
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I did the sheet metal plate repair yesterday and it is working so far. Pulled the regulator/motor out removed the old rivets and jackets, ran to the hardware store and bought a 12"x24" piece of 1/8" galvanized sheet metal and 4 (1/4" grade 5) bolts that were 3/4" long, 4 locking nuts and 4 washers for a grand total of under $12. Borrowed some tin snips-cut out a piece of metal, clamped it to the fiberglass and drilled holes.
Used the two washers on the outside of the plate for each of the two bolts closest to the door hinge (probably should have gotten 1/2" long bolts but this worked) to keep the bolts from obstructing the path of the regulator gear.
All in all it took me about 2.5 hour to reinstall everything by myself (retracking the rollers alone was a PITA)
I still have enough sheet metal to do the driver's side door since it is slowing and rattles if closed with window down.
Used the two washers on the outside of the plate for each of the two bolts closest to the door hinge (probably should have gotten 1/2" long bolts but this worked) to keep the bolts from obstructing the path of the regulator gear.
All in all it took me about 2.5 hour to reinstall everything by myself (retracking the rollers alone was a PITA)
I still have enough sheet metal to do the driver's side door since it is slowing and rattles if closed with window down.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Keller Tx
There are issues with this. There is a special type of rivet for that regulator, if you use the wrong ones then the mounting holes will enlarge over time and you'll have to install some sort of custom mounting plate to mount the regulator to. There are several threads on this, though I don't have one handy to link to at the moment.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
These special rivets can be had from GM, maybe other sources as well. I'm sure someone that has replaced one of these can confirm where to buy the correct rivet. This is part of the reason why I don't believe in removing the regulators on these cars just to replace the motor. Someone may have already removed and (incorrectly) reinstalled yours, causing this issue. If that's the case, then you'll need to do something to correct the enlarged hole left behind.
I like to be thorough like that.
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