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Detroit, 8:57 AM
Mon Dec 7
12 posts in the last 24 hours

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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of DoctorNine DoctorNine
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    I usually develop unreasonable emotional attachment to my vehicles, that requires extreme engineering if something breaks more than once. In the case of plastic bits which are woefully under-engineered, I have been known to make aluminum replacements. Or even construct completely alternative designs, which can be easily maintained. In the case of the hardware holding the plastic onto the inside of the door, I almost never re-use the clips. I will pony up for new ones if I can find them on the cheap, or if they are some obtuse design, I will redo the interior panel, to include inset screws.

    This very situation, is why I HATE electric windows. They fall into the same category as pneumatic suspensions as far as I am concerned.
     Reply
    DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred
    Image of Jesda Jesda
    04:16 AM

    @DoctorNine: I've never had a power window break, but I did have a manual window in a Nissan bind up. Had to use glue to keep the window shut. :(
     Reply
    DoctorNine promoted this comment Jesda was starred Jesda was unstarred
    Image of DoctorNine DoctorNine
    07:23 AM

    @Jesda: Ha!
     Reply
    DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred
    Image of dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    Wouldn't it be easier to swap out the entire door?
     Reply
    dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity was starred dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity was unstarred
    Image of LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    What is it with Ford and dodgy power windows? An early 90's Falcon (Australian) has power windows that if not used often become stuck, then the motor strips it's nylon gears making the the window as useful as a solar powered torch
     Reply
    LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard was starred LandofMinos, cast thou evil bum dragger to thy scrapyard was unstarred
    Image of skitter skitter
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    I've come to believe in the car repair buddy-system after a similar repair of a Honda rear-regulator by four arguing engineers (arguing engineers are happy engineers). Between all the cursing, straining, fishing for parts, searching for tools, and failed patch attempts leading up to the eventual fix, we had a wonderful time. And during the project, we were not yelled at for a record-breaking couple of hours.
     Reply
    skitter was starred skitter was unstarred
    Image of LTDScott LTDScott
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    Interesting, the door locks, window regulator, and hood latch have not needed to be replaced on my '97 P71 (which my dad currently drives). I guess it's a matter of time. I'd rather deal with any of those than have to replace another cracked intake manifold.

    The regulator on my Focus broke last year. Nobody makes an aftermarket replacement, there was no way to fix it, and there aren't many in the junkyard, so I had to pony up the money to get one from Ford. Luckily I have a friend who works at a dealer and I get a discount. Unfortunately I accidentally overtightened the bolt that holds the glass into the regulator and I shattered the window all over my laptop which I was using to read instructions. The screen on the laptop still has several nicks and scratches because of it. I was able to get a cheap used window from an auto glass company and did it again.
     Reply
    LTDScott was starred LTDScott was unstarred
    Image of smalleyxb122 smalleyxb122
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    It makes GM's gear and lever regulator look really good. When a window fails to work, it's usually the motor, and seldom the regulator.

    However when the motor fails, the removal procedure is similar with punching out the rivets holding it in place and the motor is held to the regulator with rivets, as well.
     Reply
    smalleyxb122 was starred smalleyxb122 was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    Nice writeup. I feel like I could attack this blindfolded - and get deep into it before calamity ensued.

    I've found VW rollup cable systems to be finicky. But a lot can be fixed with generous applications of friction tape and white grease.

    And on my car, I generally muscle something wrong and break some of those delicate plastic trim bits before I find the right technique.
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube
    12/06/09

    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: WHY WON'T YOU BUDGE DAMNIT!?!?!?

    *SNAP*

    oh, that's why...

    but the Haynes Manual said to do it this way :(
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube was starred skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    08:03 AM

    @skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube: 'Prise' 'Lever' or 'Remove' all indicate that you'll probably be breaking something before long, or at least putting permanent scars or divots into your trim, generally in a highly visible location. If it says 'Simply', prepare yourself for an additional half day.

    I grew up on simpler machinery, where an assortment of screwdrivers, wrenches, pry bars and a hammer could accomplish most everything you needed to do. Now things are all edumacated, with clever hidden fasteners, and twisting, unclicky secret manoeuvers needed to properly disassemble the 85-part assembly around the thing you're looking for. They're nonintuitive (to me) but invariably fragile.
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of Alfisted Alfisted
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    Murilee, you're a genius, figuring out how to get paid to perform those PITA maintenance and repair jobs on your own vehicles.
     Reply
    Alfisted was starred Alfisted was unstarred
    Image of discontinuuity is tentatively testing the waters of Murlopnik Weekend before plunging again into the fridgid waters that are Jalopnik proper discontinuuity is tentatively testing the waters of Murlopnik Weekend before plunging again into the fridgid waters that are Jalopnik proper
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    "The ammunition used in the Khyber Pass region is often underloaded, being made from a variety of powders or even old film (which contains nitrocellulose, a key component of smokeless powder) - and as such, Khyber Pass Copy rifles cannot generally stand up to the pressures generated by modern commercial ammunition. In short, it is generally advised that they not be fired under any circumstances, although there are a few collectors who have made extremely mild handloaded cartridges for their Khyber Pass rifles. This practice is NOT recommended, and anyone firing a Khyber Pass rifle is doing so at substantial personal risk."

    Lulz. Sounds a lot like those Chinese door regulators.
     Reply
    discontinuuity is tentatively testing the waters of Murlopnik Weekend before plunging again into the fridgid waters that are Jalopnik proper was starred discontinuuity is tentatively testing the waters of Murlopnik Weekend before plunging again into the fridgid waters that are Jalopnik proper was unstarred
    Image of 87CapriceEstate 87CapriceEstate
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    Thank you for this article that will come in so handy if I ever get a mid 90s Crown Vic. It is also quite handy and fun to read in general.

    For over 15 years my crank windows have yet to fail me and that is why I love them.
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment Edited by 87CapriceEstate at 12/06/09 7:52 PM 87CapriceEstate was starred 87CapriceEstate was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    12/06/09

    @87CapriceEstate: I wish I had them. Seriously.
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    12/06/09

    In reply to Crown Victoria Power Window Regulator Replacement #8, or: How Detroit Cuts Production Costs
    I just went through this with the 97 Marquis. It was the front passenger side, strangely, which gets so little use.
    It was only half down when it failed so I pushed it up and used the first thing I could find in the work room--plastic toilet shims--to hold it in place. Worked pretty well, though it was necessary to re-shove it up every other day or so.
    The driver's side door interior, on the other hand, makes a little rumble, has a major split down the plastic which happened when my dear beloved did something or other, but refused to explain; and there's both duct tape and epoxy trying to hold it together. Yet it works.
    Anyway, I just couldn't face replacing it, so I took it to the dealer, where it gets all its maintenance, trouble ensued, wrong part ordered, very pricey labor, long delay--and after some serious discussion about bad attitudes, customer service, how many years I'd been going there, and how many lies I was told on just how terribly, terribly, terribly complex and brain surgery-like it was, I got it all for free.
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    12/06/09

    @Novaload: It's a job anyone could do, but you'll spend a lot of time cursing.
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    12/06/09

    @Murilee Martin: Yeah, I just wasn't willing to rassle the bastid.
    However, I WILL take a shot of the inside driver's door on the Merc, same color as yours, and post it, so you will feel sooooo much better about yours when you see that raggedly ass panel on mine.
    The toilet shims are in the glove box now.
    You never know.
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of Tiberiuswise is all ate up with sarcasm Tiberiuswise is all ate up with sarcasm
    12/06/09

    @Murilee Martin:
    Bonus points if you just swap the whole door. Color be dammned!
     Reply
    discontinuuity is tentatively testing the waters of Murlopnik Weekend before plunging again into the fridgid waters that are Jalopnik proper promoted this comment Tiberiuswise is all ate up with sarcasm was starred Tiberiuswise is all ate up with sarcasm was unstarred
    Image of skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube
    12/06/09

    @Novaload: The gf's brother in-law's mechanic thought that gluing the window in place, instead of fixing it would be a good idea.

    That was during the winter.

    The victim was a 1988 Bonneville SSE :(

    Insurance sent it to the wrecker after I tapped a Pontiac Vibe that was out of control during said winter, Vibe went from right lane to left lane with tires pointing at the left ditch, I went right, Vibe went right, I went left, this went on at least 3 more times, the ABS could keep up, but that damned Vibe kept coming back after going on the shoulder!

    All the while I'm yelling PICK A DITCH!!!

    I had just gotten the window fixed the day before.
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment Edited by skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube at 12/06/09 10:21 PM skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube was starred skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    12/06/09

    @skulldriveshaft picasaweb and youtube: There was a lot of plastic cladding on those Pontiacs, maybe the g.f.'s b-in-law could have glued it back together!
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/28/09

    In reply to Cracked Brake Hoses, Baaaad. New Brake Hoses, Gooooood.
    Last weekend I took my first repair trip into air brake system land, and it was pleasantly uneventful.

    The nice thing about 'em is, if there is any problem with the "plumbing", the brakes do not release...or if you're in-motion, you stop.

    Potentially rather inconvenient, sure, but probably safer.
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Bri Bri
    11/28/09

    @that ain't the way to have fun, son: That is the beauty of air-brake system, it was engineered into the system.The inventor's name escapes me at the moment.What were you working on?
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son promoted this comment Bri was starred Bri was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/28/09

    @Bri:

    Our diesel-pusher motorhome's air system (brakes & suspension). The base is a 1999 Freightliner XC chassis w/a Cummins ISB and an Allison MT-643.

    The purge valve started sticking open, and the first time, we were in a hurry, so I nudged it with a screwdriver, and it closed right up.

    This time, I decided to take it apart, wipe any funk off it, lube the O-rings with silicone grease, and see if that helps. It's been a week, and it's not re-stuck, so I'm pretty happy. I was also thrilled to see how simple it all is.

    We're headed to Lost Wages for X-mas break, so we'll take the apartment with us.
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Bri Bri
    11/28/09

    @that ain't the way to have fun, son:It's always good to hear about simple repairs that successful save the day and get you home.Technically ,nice work.
     Reply
    Bri was starred Bri was unstarred
    Image of Elhigh Elhigh
    11/28/09

    In reply to Cracked Brake Hoses, Baaaad. New Brake Hoses, Gooooood.
    New brakes hoses very gooood, since the engine has about 40% more juice than the original mill did.

    Have fun, man - I know I would.
     Reply
    Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred
    Image of Old Grimey Old Grimey
    11/28/09

    In reply to Cracked Brake Hoses, Baaaad. New Brake Hoses, Gooooood.
    Murilee, remember that if you own a British car, Moss Motors and Victoria British are your friends if you own something common, such as a Spridget, an MGB, a TR or Spitfire, a Sunbeam, a Big Healey, or a Classic Mini. If you own a Lotus, then Dave Bean Engineering and JAE are your allies. Otherwise, Kip Motor Company and vendors in the UK are your only shoulders to lean on if your Lucas electrics or S.U. fuel-system parts are acting up and need to be fixed or replaced.
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment Old Grimey was starred Old Grimey was unstarred
    Image of bzr bzr
    11/28/09

    In reply to Cracked Brake Hoses, Baaaad. New Brake Hoses, Gooooood.

    C'mon Murilee, I thought you were braver than that...
     Reply
    bzr was starred bzr was unstarred
    Image of AmishJohn AmishJohn
    11/28/09

    @bzr: So, you're a proponent of the total loss braking system?
     Reply
    AmishJohn was starred AmishJohn was unstarred
    Image of Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans
    11/28/09

    @AmishJohn: I'd say he all for using the hand brake and compression lock ups.
     Reply
    bzr promoted this comment Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans was starred Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    11/29/09

    @Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans: Hand brake? What hand brake?
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans
    11/30/09

    @Murilee Martin: Go on, tell me you don't have any compression either?
     Reply
    Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans was starred Iron coffin doesn't swerve for pelicans was unstarred
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