any tips on replacing a window motor??

[aggiedave98]

I'm going to repalce the window motor in my '89 suburban (same body as you guys). Any tips on this?? I heard something about being carefula bout a spring loaded something...

thanks!

any good posts or sites w/ pics? I have the factory manual but it's not great at showing...

[C&C Chevy]

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/interior/winmotor.htm

Pretty darn good write up.

[aggiedave98]

perfect!! i love this board... i was going to try it this evening and within 5 min I get a reply. thanks!!!

do you know how long it should take??

[aggiedave98]

do you have the window up or down when you do this??

[aggiedave98]

how the heck do I get the motor assembly out of the door?? do I do it w/ the window down and just pull up??? I've got it taken half apart now, but can't get it out!!!

thanks.

[MidnightBlues]

Start with the window up. Just wiggle it around some to get the assembly out of the windowchannel. Then hold the window steady in the upward position (with tape). Remove the motorassembly by rotating it a little in either direction to get it through the hole in the door.
It's not simple, I know, you just have to trie rotating and moving around, and then all of a sudden it comes out.

The spring load is important, follow the pics in the link.Put the assembly in a vice.

Hope this helps

[aggiedave98]

Well, I was pretty dumb w/ this... I knew it was evening and I really only had a couple of hours so I started... then, it started to look like it was going to rain... I got to the point where I was trying to get it out and got stuck... and it started to sprinkle. So, I had to put it back together (which should really help once I change the motor and have to reassemble.

Because I really had it all turned around and got it back together.

But, I have no clue how to make it fit pulling it out. I assume you mean you pull it out the top, right?? It seems like if you move it towards the door striker, there is more room, but I'm not sure... Now, I had the window down because I think I thought there was more room w/ the window down... But it needs to be up??


Thanks guys!!

[79Silv4x4]

weird--i replaced the motor in my '83 and never pulled anything out but the old motor. It was a real PIA though. . .

[aggiedave98]

so how did you get the old motor out and the new one in?? Can somebody else confirm that you did pull the whole assembly out throug the top???

I actually thought could I move it over to the opening and drill the rivets out...

[87burb]

I'm going to have to do my driversside soon, the PO disconnected everything and shoved shims on the inside to hold the window up...i cant figure out how to get the unit out, its just sitting in there, not attached to nothing, if there's a way to get it out then i could see if i could fix it

[MidnightBlues]

You have to pull the assembly out through the hole in the side of the door, not the top.

[87burb]

wheres the cheapest place to buy a new motor?

[aggiedave98]

ahhhh, through the hole... thanks!!

I got mine from Oreilly Auto parts and I think it was $60.

[C&C Chevy]

Autozone has them for $45 as of last year.

Aggie, be sure you have the window taped up before you pull the assembly out!

[Zilverado]

Originally Posted by aggiedave98

ahhhh, through the hole... thanks!!

I got mine from Oreilly Auto parts and I think it was $60.

Plus 1 box of bandaids at Wal-mart - - $1.99

[MidnightBlues]

yes,be careful of the sharp edges on the doorpanel. I scratched myself real bad when I did the this.

[aggiedave98]

Ok guys... I replaced the motor yesterday, but had some issues... I couldn't get the assembly out of the door. I don't see how to get the dumb thing out.

So, I moved it around so I could get to the 3 motor bolts and just unbolted it there. I felt like it may be a dumb move because the other link said to make sure put put in in a vice so things don't move. But, it worked... I just slid the motor out and put the new one in... it works great!! Was that a risky move?? I still need to do at least one more window, but this was the most critical one since I had to manually help it up.

Also, how do you tape the window up (meaning what kind of tape??). I used duct tape and the residue got everywhere... I had to clean it off w/ wd40, windex, and a razor blade, but I don't want to do that again... any other suggestions?

[Captkaos]

Funny you posted these questions. I just switched a motor yesterday on my Burb. If you got it changed out without removing it, I commend you. I ain't a that big of a guy and I wouldn't have room to get my hands in there...

I have some pics I took of mine for an how-to on my page. Notably the one where it comes out of the hole. I will try and upload them tonight.

Once you get the regulator off the tracks you swing the short side up so the ends are together and pull it out of the door.

I always use 2 screwdrives (if I am doing it by myself) in the lock hole and the hole at the front of the track to hold the glass up.

the reason you don't want to the assembly to move is because it is under tension. The coiled spring is adding tension to the lift. The motor is the only thing keeping it still, once removed, it will try to release. You don't want your hand in there if all the parts are free and you release that motor.

[aggiedave98]

Capt,

PLEASE post the pics!!! I need to do the other one and basically I usually don't know how dumb the things I try are (like trying to remove the motor w/o removing the whole thing) until afterwards when somebody tells me...

I used an extension socket w/ a ujoint so I could reach all 3 bolts for the motor, took them all off and grabbed the motor w/ one hand... puttting it back I held it w/ one hand and used the exention socket w/ the other... so I only had one hand in there at a time...

can you send pics and/or explain more where you put screwdrivers??

thanks!

guess I got lucky...

[MidnightBlues]

Yes, if the spring releases you could get injured, and you have to compress it again to remount the motor.
The screwdrivertrick is also a good option to keep the window up. I used normal masking tape. Any residue can simply be removed with some clean gasoline.
The assembly only comes out in one certain way, you have to find the right way (see Captkaos, I forgot).

[Captkaos]

How about this for a quick throw together:

Remove the door panel and associated wiring



Remove the pull brace


Remove the handle pull bar


Position screwdriver in position to hold the glass and remove the bolts to the regulator assembly. Move it forward to release both upper and lower tracks and position the lower track slide inline with the uppers.


Pull the assembly out (carefully as the glass can still fall)




Once out drill a hole through the lift and place a screwdriver in the hole.



With the screwdriver in place, remove the old motor.


Once the new motor is in place, then remove the motor and reverse to assemble.


I will have better pics and a better article, but I figured this would help since you needed it quickly.