W124 Window Regulator

[eyelight]

When we first got our E220 coupe I posted on here about the driver's door window not reaching the top of it's travel and thanks to this forum I quickly learned that the window regulator was at fault.
As we are only now getting round to replacing this, can someone help me with a few questions ?
Since it's a coupe, the regulator is riveted in instead of bolted, and as I so far have no experience of riveting, I'm wondering if the toothed arc section of the regulator can be removed seperately or is it all one unit ?

I'm guessing it's all one piece, and since none of the Mercedes breakers seem to have one to fit a coupe, we'll have to buy new, which is about £100. Any idea how much an independent garage would charge to fit it ? My girlfriend called a dealership the other day for a quote and they were close to £400 including the part.

 

[television]

Just to answer the riveting bit.

To remove the old one you need are drill bit about double the size of the rivet head, drill the head off, and that is it. To remove the piece that's left in the hole that is to be re used, just use a punch, and it will knock through.

You can buy a rivet gun with rivets for £5, you just put the rivet in the gun, put the end of the rivet through the items to be riveted, make sure that the two surfaces are together and pull the lever, it will go hard,one more pull and pop. that's it.

Small rivets come in 3 small sizes and different lengths. A rivet of just over double the length of the two items will do nicely.

Malcolm

On the point of broken teeth on the winder, it is easy to have a new tooth welded on and file it to shape, a low cost option.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The regulator on the drivers side has proved to be a weak point on the 124. My regulator failed when the car was approx 8 yrs old. I would imagine that because the the door seal becomes dry over the years the glass can become tight with consequent wear on the teeth by the motor overcoming thie inertia of moving the glass

I tried to solve the problem by having the first two teeth of the quadrant welded and shaped (didn't run or sound that smooth in operation) but it only solved the problem for a couple of years.

I eventually replaced the regulator unit and all was fine. The job is not too bad to do providing you have reference to a Haynes manual or similar. I taped the glass in place to stop it dropping down removed the trim and everything else is quite straight forward.

If your not confident any competent garage can do the job. Probably as well if not better than the dealer. Job takes about 2/3 hours and at £35 hr shouldn't cost any more than £100 + part.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bolide]

Coupe windows

The regulator on the drivers side has proved to be a weak point on the 124. My regulator failed when the car was approx 8 yrs old.

I hate it when things fail after _only_ 8 years!

If your not confident any competent garage can do the job. Probably as well if not better than the dealer. Job takes about 2/3 hours and at £35 hr shouldn't cost any more than £100 + part.

I think an hour is long enough - it's not brain surgery. If I can do a W124 estate window reg in an hour an expert can do a coupe in the same time

Didn't know the coupe windows were different. Cars with Premium Sound System have a riveted regulator too


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[eyelight]

Thanks for all the info. Might get the inside of the door off this weekend and have a look at it. Have a friend who has experience riveting so might be able to get some help there.

 

[d215yq]

My coupe front windows are very sticky and so I open the rear window slightly before operating the front windows. this way there is less effort (particularly when putting the window up) and smoother in operation which I presume will save the regulator...

Just a thought...

 

[kth286]

The rivets are actually big at 6mm, and need a riveter with two long handles and is very hefty.

Can be hired.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Coupe window regs are easy to fit, its getting the window line right that takes the time. No second runner to use as a guide. i.e that is the rear of the window frame.

 

[kth286]

Mercedes time for the job on a coupe is 2.7 hours, after the door cover has been removed.

So, it is 2.7 hours plus the time for removal and fitting door card which on coupe can be fiddly, say 1 hour extra (what will you do about the torn door waterproofing foil which always seems to happen ?).

Alignment of the glass on the coupe after the new regulator has been fitted can be very time consuming, if you want the car to be silent without wind noise - no frame around door)

Several previous posters (on this forum and other forums) have commented on the difficulty with that aspect of the job.

It is not a job that is being done by any person on a daily basis, so it WILL ALWAYS be longer than anticipated.

In conclusion the job should be priced as a 3/4 hour job.

Let me know if you want further info as I have all instructions and am familiar with the job.

 

[Zanimat]

It might be worth looking on ebay for a used replacement regulator from abroad. I got one for my old 300D which, having come from a LHD American car, was like new! (It probably had aircon!). The total cost including shipping was less than 50 quid (including the motor) - I guess a European one would be cheaper?

 

[The German Flower Pot]

45 mins per side start to finish

my friend ius a window fitter and has done 3 for me in last 6 months

£90 ish each from merc cambridge

very fiddly job