Greetings, hello and please help with C Class window woes

MattyH

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Hi All,

By way of introduction...
I am new to this forum but have been reading a few posts over the past few days and am impressed by the knowledge here.
I am a Durban, South Africa based W202 C-Class 250D owner.
It was my mother's car but she can no longer drive.
On the whole it is in fair condition but has needed some repairs -- most recently the driver's door check strap had sheared off off at the lugs. I gas welded them back and so far so good.

I am busy now trying to fix the driver's side front window. It jams and can only be made to go up and down with a lot of help.

I have found a little bit of information on removing the regulator here and elsewhere on the net, but so far nothing like the comprehensive tutorial I need.

I have just drilled out the blind rivets that hold the regulator to the door. One of its arms was attached to a bottom window support (don't know the technical name) with a torx screw. I got it out but am not sure how to proceed further. It looks like the other arm (fastens to the outer right edge of the window; the side closest to the lock) is attached to the bottom support and the side vertical glass channel (again don't know technical name) by a plastic thingy.
Am I right to assume I need to get said plastic thingy (please help with name) off to proceed further with removal and if so how do I do this.
Is there a clip that I am not seeing that can be prised off perhaps?
Also, the electric motor is still fastened to the regulator. Should I unfasten it at this stage.
All help gratefully received.

Regards,
Matthew
 

Srdl

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Hi Matthew and welcome to the forum. Sorry, I can’t help with your query but hopefully there will be an expert along shortly.
 

A.J.

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I am not he ^ but welcome to the forum :)
 

Uncle Benz

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I think the first part of your story may unfortunately have an impact on the second part. It's very common for the check strap lugs to snap off, and usually the unit then contacts the guide channel the window glass drops into and bends it. The window glass then becomes very tight to wind down. It might be worth getting your head in there for a look.
 
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MattyH

MattyH

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W202 C Class/250D/diesel
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Thanks for kind words, Steve and Andy!

Uncle Benz seems to be on the money.

In the end I was able to get the window regulator out fairly easily.
Once the the motor was unscrewed the regulator can be slipped off the one end of the track and the whole thing can then be wiggled out of the door.
Returning to Uncle Benz's diagnosis -- "It's very common for the check strap lugs to snap off, and usually the unit then contacts the guide channel the window glass drops into and bends it." -- this appears to be what has happened.

With regulator out of the way I was able to have a better look at the channel. And it indeed the lower section is mangled.

So my neglect in fixing the check strap when it first broke (in my defence, it was a first for me) has caused a potentially bigger problem -- a warning to others.

Not easy to see how the channel can be bent straight while in place. It is held by a bracket spot welded towards the bottom of the door. The bracket where it attached to the channel has been bent too. Channel may also be fastened towards the top of the door but I am not sure.
I am enlisting the help of a friendly panel beater and we shall see if he has any luck in straightening things out.

I will post a few pictures soon.

Matthew
 
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MattyH

MattyH

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W202 C Class/250D/diesel
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Apologies. I have not got a picture of troublesome door window channel as promised
At any rate, my friendly panel beater removed it straightened it out more or less and welded it back -- for no charge. Unfortunately I wasn't around to photograph him in action.
The window action was very stiff and he said I needed a new regulator (he has riveted the old one back).

All was sort-of OK for a day but now the window seems to be jumping out of the front track -- which might need further tweaking and attention to the rubber, which feels rough in places.

Can any one explain where and how regulators wear and if they are at all repairable. I am guessing wear is on the pivots.
 


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