Window Motors - Beaten to death thread
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Window Motors - Beaten to death thread I am about to embark on this journey, a journey that will take me beyond sight and sound....i've left reality....i've entered.....the 4th Gen F-body window motor replacement zone.
Based on everything i've been reading here, I am going to order the following Cardone "New" motors:
https://www.carid.com/cardone/front-...pn-82-145.html
I'm a little confused about the rivets. I read a thread here that talks about NOT drilling out the rivets, and replacing them with bolts, as that will compromise the structural integrity of the door and cause further damage. So rivets it is. BUT -
- Do i get new rivets? Re-use the old ones?
- If I need new ones, where do i get them?
- Can i remove the door panel without cracking/breaking it? How realistic is it to NOT damage this?
- I'll be swapping out the speakers at the same time this repair is being performed because they are all shot to **** and the car only has 21k on it
- Anything else I need to know? I have the shbox method ready to guide me through the process
Based on everything i've been reading here, I am going to order the following Cardone "New" motors:
https://www.carid.com/cardone/front-...pn-82-145.html
I'm a little confused about the rivets. I read a thread here that talks about NOT drilling out the rivets, and replacing them with bolts, as that will compromise the structural integrity of the door and cause further damage. So rivets it is. BUT -
- Do i get new rivets? Re-use the old ones?
- If I need new ones, where do i get them?
- Can i remove the door panel without cracking/breaking it? How realistic is it to NOT damage this?
- I'll be swapping out the speakers at the same time this repair is being performed because they are all shot to **** and the car only has 21k on it
- Anything else I need to know? I have the shbox method ready to guide me through the process
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Follow the instructions that show where to drill into the door to expose the 3 rivets that hold the motor to the regulator frame. Don't touch the 4 large visible rivets in the middle of the door. Those hold the entire regulator. Once you have the motor off the regulator, you can use bolts just fine. The motor should come with bolts, nuts, and also star washers or split washers. The first motor I installed came with the right bolts/washers/nuts. The second motor I bought had the wrong ones (too thin). Make sure the bolt fist just right in the hole (thickness and length).
The instructions should also mention it, but regardless if you do this with the window up or down, use a block of wood inside the door to support the window before you do any drilling or remove the motor. I think I did it with the window up to give more room and avoid possibly hitting the window while drilling or maneuvering the motor.
The threads where people say to use rivets, they are talking about those large ones that hold the regulator to the door. Unless there is damage to the door around those 4 large rivets, don't touch them; leave them.
While you are in there, grease up the tracks and gears.
The instructions should also mention it, but regardless if you do this with the window up or down, use a block of wood inside the door to support the window before you do any drilling or remove the motor. I think I did it with the window up to give more room and avoid possibly hitting the window while drilling or maneuvering the motor.
The threads where people say to use rivets, they are talking about those large ones that hold the regulator to the door. Unless there is damage to the door around those 4 large rivets, don't touch them; leave them.
While you are in there, grease up the tracks and gears.
Last edited by VIP1; Jun 19, 2021 at 01:41 PM.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 22
Thank you. I read through the shbox instructions last night and watched a youtube video of a guy using that method to do the swap. Much clearer now.
Just have to order those Cardone motors and my new speakers.
Just have to order those Cardone motors and my new speakers.
