9 replies to this topic

[decampos]

Mini Sprite 1250
1993

The drivers window got progressively stiffer over a period of time and eventually 'popped' under a significant amount of arm torque.

I took the old mechanism out and found the teeth in the gears buggered beyond repair. Fine I thought, I'll find one on ebay.

So I replaced the broken winder with a perfectly good newish one and found it seriously difficult as heck to wind the window up. Came down easily though.

It was so hard to wind up I assumed I was doing some damage to something, I pulled the mechanism and sure enough, one of the arm pulley things that guides one of the window runners was warped like all get out. (pic attached).

has anyone had a similar experience? what am I doing wrong? where is the problem? It all seemed quite simple.\

Any help appreciated.

 window_mech.jpg   35.81K   5 downloads

[lrostoke]

Check the track the wheels run in, they tend to rust and expand as the rust build up..Remove from glass, clean up and refit.
Also make sure the door itself isn't warped at the top this will stop the glass running free.
Plus check the groove is free the glass runs in and the insert is in straight

[decampos]

Check the track the wheels run in, they tend to rust and expand as the rust build up..Remove from glass, clean up and refit.
Also make sure the door itself isn't warped at the top this will stop the glass running free.
Plus check the groove is free the glass runs in and the insert is in straight

Hi. Thanks for the quick response. I greased everything but I'll double check how freely the wheels turn. I'll check this evening. Don't think there's any warping in the door. the groove is definitely free of debris.

I must say, messing with the door is a real pig of a job!

[taffy1967]

You might need to buy 2 new regulator channels, as they do get very rusty with age.

[joker]

when the window gets to the top, STOP WINDING IT!

thats why it has broken.

[decampos]

You might need to buy 2 new regulator channels, as they do get very rusty with age.

They are rusty but I don't know how that would create the type of problems I've been having. Also, how are they stuck to the windows. Are they glued? (I assume they're meant to be attached)

[taffy1967]

Their just held in place by gravity and a rubber glass seal.

The seal does see them fit nice and snugly, so they can't/don't move out of place.

Well not until they fall to pieces with rust that is and if their a bit rusty, then perhaps that rust is stopping the arm wheels running smoothly?

[decampos]

Their just held in place by gravity and a rubber glass seal.

The seal does see them fit nice and snugly, so they can't/don't move out of place.

Well not until they fall to pieces with rust that is and if their a bit rusty, then perhaps that rust is stopping the arm wheels running smoothly?

I don't understand. If they're only held their by gravity (and a snug fit) what is stopping you from being able to grab the glass with your hands and lift it out?

Surely it wouldn't take much crud clogging the groves in the window felt to hold the window in place while you attempt to wind it down.

[lrostoke]

When we last fitted some, we pulled the tracks off, under there is a rubber strip that folds over the glass. removed that to.

Cleaned out all the rust from the track, it tends to get on the side that has contact with the rubber. I think what happens then is it twists the track where it joins the glass, this can then cause the rollers to bind.
When refitting we just used a smear of silicone sealant on the glass, then fit the rubber, then a bit more silicone sealant between the rubber and the track, the track is quite a tight fit on the rubber anyway. Just waited for sealant to go off before refitting.

[taffy1967]

I don't understand. If they're only held their by gravity (and a snug fit) what is stopping you from being able to grab the glass with your hands and lift it out?

Well the glass rain channels for a start, plus the weight of the glass itself.

As has been said, it's a tight fit with the rubber seal anyway.