I have an '87 GT with power windows, locks, and mirrors. When I got it about 6 months ago the mirrors worked fine, the locks worked, but needed to have the button hit multiple times to "walk" them into the fully open or closed location, and the windows, well they sucked. The switches had holes in them from the sun beating down on the plastic for years, both windows were very slow going down, some times not making it all the way with out being pushed, and neither would make it back up with out being pulled. The driver side barely even started to go back up before it would stop. With advice from sardonyx247 I replaced the window switches and it helped immensely. Both windows would go all the way down and much faster. Passenger side goes all the way back up with a couple slow spots. Driver side was still a no go, but did make it to the large curve in the window before stopping. So I decided that I would open it all up and clean it out and while I was in there I would replace the window motors. I got the new motors in and started on the drivers side using how tos I found laying around the internet. The driver's side door was a mess. There was basically a whole trees worth of pine needles in it as well as random screws and these two white spindle jobs. The spindles are pictured below, if someone know what they are or do please let me know. The rails are all gritty and have dried grease on them as well, I'm scrubbing them up nicely. My biggest question I guess is about my regulators. Are they shot? The round plastic parts on the end, are they wheels that are supposed to turn? Mine are completely gummed up with some kind of grease and don't turn at all but will kind of rotate side to side on what I guess is some kind of ball mount. I haven't cleaned them up yet to see how they are mounted. Will I be able to just clean the rails and the sliders on the regulator to get these back to like new or will I need to replace the regulators completely? Thanks for your time and help as usual. I'll do a how to on the passenger side also for anyone that is interested. Pics of everything below.
You're doing what I did with my windows. When I was done they moved about three times faster than when I began. What you refer to as spindles are the window limit stops. BTW, I used 1/4" x 1/2" bolts with locking nuts to secure the regulators. I used either 3/4" or 1" bolts for the limit stop spindles. I used solvents and a brush to clean out the regulators. I also soaked and cleaned the roller wheels that go into the regulators. They are probably available as replacements but you can probably reuse the ones you have unless the circumference of the wheels have flat spots. Good luck with your project. I think that you'll be pleased with how they work when you put it all back together.
I agree with (gtoformula) , & clean everything really well. Those tracks will have more caked on grease and crud then in corner's then you can imagine, I had to get a scribe in there to get all of it. The nylon wheels that ride in the tracks, after cleaning, should Spin VERY loosely... Cleaning and a light greasing should make those windows move like new.
The Window Stop that's in your hand is obviously broken, the good news is that the FS does have new ones for about $4. and like gtoformula mentioned use 1/4" bolts and nylon lock nuts to reinstall everything that used a pop rivet, makes it easier if you every have to go back in there. Here is a pic that shows where they are mounted on the glass..
Also, since you already have everything opened up..... and before you reinstall the window and hardware, you may consider removing and cleaning the door latch mechanism since you mentioned having to press the lock button/switch several time. It to gets pretty gummed up over the years, did mine and one short tap of the switch its locked/unlocked.
Good Luck Bob
------------------ 88 GT Choptop, Vertical Door Hinges Lowered Suspension w/ 13" Brake Disk CarPC - WinXP Pro (GT Sport Edition) + a lot more.....
I was afraid you guys were going to say that about the wheels. I was hoping they just slide. Is there a way to get them off with out breaking them? What did you soak them in to get them cleaned up? I used an engine degreaser on mine and they still don't spin at all unless torqued by hand. GTOformula, thanks for the advice on the latch mechanism. I got it out easy as pie with the door torn down the way it is. Definitely the perfect time to clean and lube it up.
Originally posted by mr_corean: I was afraid you guys were going to say that about the wheels. I was hoping they just slide. Is there a way to get them off with out breaking them? What did you soak them in to get them cleaned up? I used an engine degreaser on mine and they still don't spin at all unless torqued by hand. GTOformula, thanks for the advice on the latch mechanism. I got it out easy as pie with the door torn down the way it is. Definitely the perfect time to clean and lube it up.
Sorry, for not getting back to you faster. Ya, the wheels/rollers should spin fairly freely, and they weren't that easy for me to get cleaned either...
I did find soaking them in mineral sprits (didn't hurt the wheels),using a good stiff toothbrush to scrub with and exercising them seemed to help get them freed up.
I also was able to not exactly get them off the stud, but with the palm of my hand, press them DOWN on the stud and gain access to the Ball on the stud on (2) of the three wheels.(BUT BE CAREFUL!!) If it feels like somthing is going to break, I would stop. I'm not sure where you can get replacement wheels from. It took me awhile to get them spinning/pivoting pretty freely, but what a world of difference..
The pic I posted shows the basic layout when its in the door, may help on reassembly. ( I take photos to help my memory)
Got the driver's side all done today. Now that I know how to do it I'm going to document the passenger side and do a how to for anyone else that wants to go this in depth in the future. Thanks a lot to GTOformula for the bolt idea and Orig88GT-NC for all the help.
You can tell summer is hear, everyone is digging deep and fixing there fiero's I'm about to do my pwr windows myself in my fiero. I'm a little scared to get into it, but I have found a guide that I hope will help me.
Wanted to say ty for the bolt and nut sizes for reassembly. and my power locks do the same thing, have to hit the button about 3-5 times to get it to lock/unlock so I'll be looking into that.
I just want to say thank you to everyone posting information on this subject and am looking forward to a detailed how to video. Once my drivetrain is settled, this is the next project I want to accomplish because the slow windows are painfully annoying.
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