Power Window Motor removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

turner16 · 09-19-2011, 06:57 PM

I have read a couple of threads on the removal of the power window on my 81
Am I to believe that the motor, regulator and assembly will fit through the small hole in my inner door skin?

tucsonjwt · 09-19-2011, 08:41 PM

Yes, but the hole in the door is not really that small. The regulator with motor attached comes out of that hole in the regulator "compressed" configuration - If the regulator is a figure "X" when up, then the "X" flattens out when disconnected to something like parallel flat lines. You pull the two parallel flat lines out through the hole - end first. This is not a fun job. I have done it several times and always forget the trick on how to get it out. Prepare to get your forearms scratched - or wrap duct tape around the opening before you start. Once you do it one time you could do several in succession a lot faster, since you will know exactly how to position the regulator for removal.
One tip - mark down which way is up on the connector to the power window motor - you will not be able to see down there when reconnecting the harness and connector - you just feel the end of the motor and plug in the connector.
Also, make sure you secure the motor housing to the regulator prior to removal - bolt and nut or vise, etc. - or you could cause yourself or others serious harm.

turner16 · 09-19-2011, 11:36 PM

thanks for the advise, do you normally leave the glass in the door and just tape it in place?

Hazieview · 09-19-2011, 11:46 PM

I held my glass up with a screwdriver wedge in thd door...

Posted via Mobile Device

gchemist · 09-20-2011, 12:40 AM

I remove the window.

tucsonjwt · 09-20-2011, 06:02 AM

No need to remove the window. As suggested elsewhere on this forum, I drilled a small hole in the top edge of the inside of the door (will be hidden by the reinstalled door panel), put a screw through a hole in a short piece of metal plumber's strap, then wrapped the other end of the plumber's strap around the bottom of the window glass - like an "S" curve configuration. Removed the strap after regulator reinstalled. I did not trust a piece of tape to hold up the window.

motornut · 09-20-2011, 02:23 PM

removed glass
with glass removed the "arms"will fold

09-19-2011, 06:57 PM	#1
turner16 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 214	Power Window Motor removal I have read a couple of threads on the removal of the power window on my 81 Am I to believe that the motor, regulator and assembly will fit through the small hole in my inner door skin?

09-19-2011, 08:41 PM	#2
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Re: Power Window Motor removal Yes, but the hole in the door is not really that small. The regulator with motor attached comes out of that hole in the regulator "compressed" configuration - If the regulator is a figure "X" when up, then the "X" flattens out when disconnected to something like parallel flat lines. You pull the two parallel flat lines out through the hole - end first. This is not a fun job. I have done it several times and always forget the trick on how to get it out. Prepare to get your forearms scratched - or wrap duct tape around the opening before you start. Once you do it one time you could do several in succession a lot faster, since you will know exactly how to position the regulator for removal. One tip - mark down which way is up on the connector to the power window motor - you will not be able to see down there when reconnecting the harness and connector - you just feel the end of the motor and plug in the connector. Also, make sure you secure the motor housing to the regulator prior to removal - bolt and nut or vise, etc. - or you could cause yourself or others serious harm.

09-19-2011, 11:36 PM	#3
turner16 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 214	Re: Power Window Motor removal thanks for the advise, do you normally leave the glass in the door and just tape it in place?

09-19-2011, 11:46 PM	#4
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: Power Window Motor removal I held my glass up with a screwdriver wedge in thd door... Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1981 Chevy short/wide. SB400 350th

09-20-2011, 12:40 AM	#5
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Power Window Motor removal I remove the window. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

09-20-2011, 06:02 AM	#6
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,189	Re: Power Window Motor removal No need to remove the window. As suggested elsewhere on this forum, I drilled a small hole in the top edge of the inside of the door (will be hidden by the reinstalled door panel), put a screw through a hole in a short piece of metal plumber's strap, then wrapped the other end of the plumber's strap around the bottom of the window glass - like an "S" curve configuration. Removed the strap after regulator reinstalled. I did not trust a piece of tape to hold up the window.

09-20-2011, 02:23 PM	#7
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Power Window Motor removal removed glass with glass removed the "arms"will fold __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350



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