TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:35 pm

It's hard to believe I can rebuild a motor but I can't get a )*&%^$$ front
passenger door window in my baywindow!!!!! Bentley states move the front window channel forward and slip the window lift in the space created...
OK, I triple checked that all the bolts are out, but God love 'ya I can't get the front window channel to move ANY direction. I've even taken out the
phillips from the vent wing-still no space, pry as I might. Nothing on Richards site that I can find....any help?? (Can't find a thread either) John

Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:43 pm

Wow, I did this a LONG ass time ago..

Goto a junkyard and take a window out. It's easier if you take a friend. Watch how everything works, and practice. If you break the glass...find another one ( no cost to you).

I don't remember the procedure but I know it can be done. Good luck

Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:35 am

Do a search in this forum. Removing the window is a P.I.T.A. After the third time it might get a little easier. ](*,)

Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:52 am

There was a thread on this 2-3 months back - someone was having a tough time also and posted their trials and tribulations with it - I recall he got it in after a few tries. I did this procedure last year and it was very difficult. I used two glass sticks to aid in guiding the window while pushing it in from the bottom with vent window in place. I recall having to pry the piss out of that lower part of the vent window mount to get the window worm gear thingy by. Good luck.

Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:01 am

I am trying to do the same thing on my 78 Westy. All I've managed to do is move the bolt hole for the front window channel guide just slightly forward. However, my window is still in, and I can put the regulator all back together okay. But, I would like to take out the regulator and channel to clean it up and lubricate it while I have the door apart anyway (putting in acoustic sound deadener).

The Bentley manual isn't very specific - and it makes it sound like you just snap it out of there.

Sounds like it may not be worth the effort ....

Darryl
78 Westy

Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:08 am

The entire vent window with its frame/front channel has to be arced backwards to about 45*. Watch for the phillips head screw bracket to tangle with the door trim or the felt channel retainer clip. Then pull entire assembly *up* at that 45* angle and move the bottom of the vent window frame backwards then up some more. Keep a close eye on sharp edges near painted surfaces. There is a cut-out on the front channel frame that has to clear the welded bracket that the channel bolts to. Remember that 10mm bolt you removed? There is where the bracket is. I had to pull BobD's perfect perfect perfect driver's door vent window assembly out, "The Scream" hath had no more anxiety than my moment with BobD's bus.
Colin

Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:27 pm

Thanks for the advice, Amskeptic.

After fiddling for another 15-20 minutes on it this eve, I took some advice that Homer Simpson gave to Bart once: "Son, if something's too hard, give up!" So I did.

I just lubed the regulator really well and re-inserted the bolts. It was working okay to begin with ....

Good luck, jaxbass.

Darryl.

Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:21 pm

Amskeptic wrote: . Keep a close eye on sharp edges near painted surfaces.
Colin

guess who learned that the hardway less than a week after the fresh paint :shock:

dave

Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:07 pm

Thanks everyone, I finally got the new window in...glad Colin chimed in, I
guess Richard is off calculating the atomic weight of a gnats ass on Mars :)
(only kidding)....I wrote down the BETTER way to replace your window after your kid hits a line drive through it and will post it or better yet send it over
to Richard to see if he wants to post it. (I found it quicker and easier to take out the vent wing as per Colin's advice, then pull the regulator, remove
the inner scraper then lower the damn thing in from the top, replace the regulator, vent wing, scraper, then bolt the lift channel to the regulator-much quicker, cleaner and a whole lot less frustration thatn Bentley-complete instructions to follow)....now for some liqued refreshment! John

Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:51 pm

Resurrecting this thread as I just got done installing new glass in my '72 Bay!

The key to the whole thing really is to take out the 1/4 window. Glad I checked the forums and saw someone point to the hidden screw holding the 1/4 window to the top of the frame. It does take some wriggling and a good amount of swearing but it's what you gotta do. My right hand looks nice and chewed up, too, after working from morning through mid afternoon inside the door. :)

Another neat little trick I discovered with the 1/4 window was how to tighten the hinge finally! I always lamented that the hinge was so loose you could never use the 1/4 window to funnel a blast of air onto you at higher speeds but now I see all you need is to tighten a 10mm bolt that fastens a clamp on to the hinge. Sweet!