Frustrated Trying to Fix Window Regulator

[bfeley]

I have an 85 GW and the regulator for the driver's door broke - actually, the motor and track are fine. Rather, it is the two large white nylon gears that are broken; I need both gears.

I took it into the dealer to see if they could get the parts, and was promised that they could have them in two weeks. Two weeks later after I return from a vacation, I call the dealer up and they tell me they can't get the replacement gears. Thanks for nothing...

So, then I look on eBay... I find a used regulator for an '85 GW from Deerfoot Auto Parts in PA. Even though all I need are the gears, I figure I'll go ahead and buy the entire regulator, because I can surely use the motor sometime down the road. I win the auction and two days later I receive the part (very fast shipping). I open the box today and it is the wrong part... see the attached pictures (the first picture is the part I received and for comparison, the second picture is the existing regulator with the bad gears). I have an email out to the seller - I'm sure it was a simple mistake and that they will make it right, but I am getting tired of chasing my tail for what I thought would be a simple repair.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe someone has some gears laying around from an old regulator that they would be willing to sell me?

At this point, I just want to get my window working again! Thanks in advance for any help.

[CutterN55]

So is the flex rack broken, or the window motor gear? BJ's has flex racks (buy the whole set and fix them as they break). and I'd hit a junk yard for a spare window motor. That's what I did.

You don't need the whole track and mount and everything. the flex rack slides off the channel, and the gear pops out of the motor as soon as you take it off the mount. When you put it all back together, lube it all up real good with silicon grease.

[bfeley]

Correct, it's not the flex track or the motor - they are both fine. I took everything apart and it is definitely only the two large round white nylon gears that need replacing.

[CutterN55]

you can find that gear at a pull apart if one near you has any wagons. Most of the time it's the flex rack that breaks not the motor gear.

I just did a search on BJ's and TeamGrandwagoneer...neither have the motor gear, only the whole motor. I'd check with a junk yard, put up a post in the wanted add, or contact halftrac & tanker and ask them if they can hook you up.

[bfeley]

Deerfoot contacted me about the part they sent (see the first picture in my original post). After going back and forth several times, here is what they are saying:
"I think I figured out what the problem is. In 85' they have a "split year" for the regulators. We have an early production grand wagoneer (production date thru 1/85), after that the reg changed. If your production date was after 2/85, that would explain why they are different. Now from what I understand, both regulators will work in the door, the manufacturer just switched vendors halfway through production. "

Can anyone confirm or deny this? To the best of my knowledge, the window regulator should be the same on an 84-87 GW - there is no "split" year". The part Deerfoot provided doesn't look anything like my regulator... are they trying to pull a fast one on me?

[Billygoat]

What they sent you looks like half a rear window, just had my cover off last night and it has 2 gears and arms that look like that - 1 motor.
I can not say for sure, but it looks very similar. Even looks like the other pivot is there.

[threepiece188]

CutterN55So is the flex rack broken,
When I first read this I thought you were misnaming the part. I have always called it flex track. Then I realized that this part is actually a rack gear that flexes, hence flex rack.

[bfeley]

CutterN55So is the flex rack broken,
When I first read this I thought you were misnaming the part. I have always called it flex track. Then I realized that this part is actually a rack gear that flexes, hence flex rack.

I didn't catch that the first time, but makes sense!

[bfeley]

Wow! This forum sure is a great bunch people. A very kind member PM'd me and is sending the required gears, gratis.

I am continually amazed at how helpful everyone one is and how generous they are with their time, talent, and spare parts!

Thank you all:thumbsup:

[Thomas792]

I say remove the three bolts and take the motor off the bracket. See if the gears are the same. If not, did the auction have a picture and the item pictured is different than what he sent?

[bfeley]

I say remove the three bolts and take the motor off the bracket. See if the gears are the same. If not, did the auction have a picture and the item pictured is different than what he sent?

It's totally different... not even close - metal gear instead of two nylon.

The picture on the listing was of the GW being parted out. It did appear to be an 84-85. Definitly lesson learned for this noob - always get a picture of the actual item before buying.

The seller and I have agreed to disagree, and they are giving me a full refund. Of course I have to pay for the return shipping.

[Tad]

I'm pretty sure I still have a drivers side front door from an 80+ FSJ burried in the pile. I'll try to snap a pic of the guts for you.
If you think it's a match you can have it for shipping.

[KaiserMan]

I don't think there was a style change mid year, the picture of your regulator is the same thing that I have in my 83 Wag. Limiteds front doors.

[donnaj8887]

I have an 85 GW and the regulator for the driver's door broke - actually, the motor and track are fine. Rather, it is the two large white nylon gears that are broken; I need both gears.

I took it into the dealer to see if they could get the parts, and was promised that they could have them in two weeks. Two weeks later after I return from a vacation, I call the dealer up and they tell me they can't get the replacement gears. Thanks for nothing...

So, then I look on eBay... I find a used regulator for an '85 GW from Deerfoot Auto Parts in PA. Even though all I need are the gears, I figure I'll go ahead and buy the entire regulator, because I can surely use the motor sometime down the road. I win the auction and two days later I receive the part (very fast shipping). I open the box today and it is the wrong part... see the attached pictures (the first picture is the part I received and for comparison, the second picture is the existing regulator with the bad gears). I have an email out to the seller - I'm sure it was a simple mistake and that they will make it right, but I am getting tired of chasing my tail for what I thought would be a simple repair.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe someone has some gears laying around from an old regulator that they would be willing to sell me?

At this point, I just want to get my window working again! Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks you for the post.

[letank]

What you received is more like a late 70's regulator. It was a mix of manual crank w a motor. The later windows have a different glass attachment.

What may have happened is that the PO switched doors.

As said the plastic can be found at any autoparts store in the "help" section and for a chrysler.

[bfeley]

I'm pretty sure I still have a drivers side front door from an 80+ FSJ burried in the pile. I'll try to snap a pic of the guts for you.
If you think it's a match you can have it for shipping.

Thanks Tad! I appreciate the offer, but another IFSJA member is already sending me the gears. If for some reason they do not work, I'll let you know if I need yours.

[bfeley]

Update - I got some used gears from a FSJA member. This weekend I cleaned the regulator real well, reassembled with the new gears, lubed everything with Sil-Glyde, and re-installed. Everything worked great for one up-down clcyle and the the old flex rack broke... I guess all the disassembly/reassembly was too much for it. Thankfully, I had a new spare flex rack and was able to install it. So everything is back together and working perfectly. Thanks to everyone for the help!