Rear door windows hard to roll up/down

[ls3waggy]

Hey guys, just installed all new weatherstrip in the window channels and the rear windows are very hard to roll up and down. Any ideas what this might be? It did this before I did the weatherstrip as well. The window itself is hard to push up and down in the channel even without the regulator attached.

[johnsonic]

Hey there!

Assuming that by 'weatherstrip' you're referring to the window wipe (horizontal rubber to keep the rain out), and not the bits that fit in the channels on the side. If that's the case - happened to me when I replaced mine a while back. I you put rain-x on the windows and it helped reduce the friction until the rubber from the wipes settled down. Was still a little slow, but got better over time.

[goldhammer]

Get a can of silicone spray, and hit the run channels the glass runs in, and make sure the regulator is clean and lubed. Also might have to shift the adjustment on the bottom of the channels where they bolt to the door since the new channel strips are putting more tension on the glass (tighter than to old worn ones).

[ls3waggy]

I'll give the silicon a shot.

The wipes currently aren't in and it's still very hard to roll up and down, so it must be the channels.

Thanks for the help guys!

[babywag]

Silicone spray works wonders!
Be sure to verify the window motors are getting good voltage as well.
And be sure the channels are adjusted correctly & straight.

You can also try running a wooden dowel that's just slightly thicker than glass through channels to stretch them a little 'bit.
When I worked in a resto shop, an old timer showed me the trick. Sometimes aftermarket stuff isn't same as original.

[RamJetFSJ]

Silicone spray does work, but mine were so bad that eventually I forced my window down and the metal channel came off the bottom of the window glass. I ended up replacing the metal channel (not available repop), both window channels, and cleaning and relubing the regulator. The channels were so old and cracked, that a piece of rubber had broken off and gotten jammed in there sideways. Pain in the butt repair...

[SJTD]

Doesn't the sillycone get on the glass giving you perpetual oily streaks?

[RamJetFSJ]

No. The silicone goes in the side channels, not on the wipes.

[SJTD]

I got that. Doesn't it creep outward? Get smeared when you wipe the glass?

[Kaiserjeeps]

See my build thread "another 70" for what is wrong with the replacement glass run channels. It would be the second to the last page I believe. I did some trimming and used car wash soap to reinstall them. It made a huge difference.
If yours were purchased from the same vendor and or they have the same profile, then try what I did. The rear windows now roll up and down with way less friction. Plus check the division bar lower mounts. Lower the window and make sure the division bar is snug but not tight. Or to loose.
Hope this helps...