Window dilemma…

[GoldNugget]

1980 300SD, over the past 2 years of ownership my windows have gradually started to fail.  Each has their own quirks, no two alike.  As I'm researching things like diagnosis, troubleshooting, part's availability etc I've come across a few that have swapped out their power windows for a manual crank.  Replacing everything on every window to keep it power just isn't an option...financially or for my marriage 😂

Can someone share their setup, which regulators and odd bits that were used.  It's a project I can definitely take on and not feel bad about.
Thank you!

[rumb]

The power windows generally suffer from 2 issues, lubrication and bent regulators.

Both can be fixed for very little $, but will require creativity in heating and flattening the regulators.

The metal is very soft, with a torch you can easily overheat it and begin to melt it. You don't want to go that far!

I fashioned some square tubing to act as a flat surface, heated and clamped.thats worked OK.  Also you can gently heat and use 2 big pliers to bend back flat.

Disassemble the regulator and remove the spring to get started.

The motors always seem fine and don't need anything usually.

Lube everything with a light grease, no bearing grease!!!!!

[ramiro]

Also the switches like to get dirt inside them , what also can cause problems.
It is possible to open them up and clean them but be carefull opening them because they have many small parts with springs inside them.
Regarding manual windows they also like to wear so the handle gets very loose , i think that removing all windows and getting the parts will be harder an even more expensive than just repairing the power windows.

 

[GoldNugget]

Thank you both.  I've seen so many people caution against trying to bend the regulators that I pretty much wrote that off, especially looking at the cost of some of the parts.

Is there any maintenance or repairs that can be done to the motors? 

[rumb]

If you try to straighten them without out proper heat, they will break. Motors don't really have anything to take care of.