Window Regulator Spring

[bobmagyar]

Has anyone replaced the center post of a window regulator spring and been able to properly tension the spring? I have replaced the center posts on mine but presume that the springs needs at least another 360 degrees of wind up. I don't now for sure as both of my regulators were in the same situation when I disassebled the doors.

Any advice or accurate information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[BOYER73S]

If its like the spring that controls the forward and back movement of the seat backs then it will be bloooooooody difficult. They look like the same unit and you will need to lock the regulator into position somehow and pull/push the spring around. I am sure Porsche use a special tool.

[HarryD]

Bob,

I recently did this to one of my doors.

As best I recollect, I figure the spring is used to help the window to go up and therefore it is at it's least tension when the window is up. As you roll the window down, you add tension to the spring. Going with this idea, I positioned my regulator mechanism so it is in the "up" position and then attached the spring. I then installed it without worrying about winding the spring any further as I figured it would wind itself as I lowered the window.

Seems to work ok.

[bobmagyar]

Thanks Harry,

I used the same process as you described but there really isn't enough force in the spring over that angle to counter act the mass of the glass. Definitely the correct line of thinking though.

I think I will calculate the spring constant and use Hooke's law to calculate the required preload wrap angle (for the mech eng. types).

[bobmagyar]

Thanks Clyde,

I think when I get the regulator in front of me again I think I will see how hard it is to remove the other pivots and disable the travel limits of the "rack" gear and see if I can wind it up as you suggest.

And yes they are basically the same as the spring withing the seat hinges.

Regards.

[ttweed]

Bob/HarryD-

What is the source for those spring centerposts? I didn't know they were available. Is it a factory part?

Thx,
TT

[bobmagyar]

Hi Tom,

I just machined my own but they are in the Tweeks Cataloge.

Unfortunately without a scheme to wind up the spring there is little use in replacing the old one with the new one.

I am going to come up with a way of doing this without any special tools as my next project and I will post to the board my process. I imagine there are lots of cars with a chunk of the spring center post rattling around in the bottom of to door and harder then normal windows to roll up.

Every regulator I have seen is broken.

[HarryD]

Bob/HarryD-

What is the source for those spring centerposts? I didn't know they were available. Is it a factory part?

Thx,
TT

Tom,

The factory wants you to order a new regulator assembly. The pivot pin is aftermarket. A search at Pelican will uncover a large number of posts.

I ordered mine thru Pelican parts after I gave them a Performance Products Part number. Please be aware they come in several flavors and you need to order the correct one.

You can see them here: http://www.automotion.com/productpag...egulator+Pivot

[HarryD]

Hi Tom,

I just machined my own but they are in the Tweeks Cataloge.

Unfortunately without a scheme to wind up the spring there is little use in replacing the old one with the new one.

I am going to come up with a way of doing this without any special tools as my next project and I will post to the board my process. I imagine there are lots of cars with a chunk of the spring center post rattling around in the bottom of to door and harder then normal windows to roll up.

Every regulator I have seen is broken.

Hmmmm. I did not wind my spring more than needed to hook it into place and the window works better than it ever has.

Beware that the pivot pins have the slot in one of two ways: parallel to the key and perpendicular to the key. Maybe you need the one with the other orientation.

[ttweed]

The pivot pin is aftermarket. A search at Pelican will uncover a large number of posts.

Thanks for the info. I had searched the PP online catalog, but could not find a listing for the pin. I'm not sure I'm going to fix the broken regulator in my '68 anyway, as I am thinking of going with the pull-strap, lexan setup in it, but it's good to know they are available separately from the regulator assembly.

TT