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Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:42 am

This entire thread has been massively helpful as I try to recondition all four windows on my 77 convertible. Really spot on -- thanks to everyone who's shared their headaches and successes.

I've got a problem I can't solve, and I'd love some help. Despite the prescient advice to be careful when undoing the double adjustment bolt that holds the vent frame in the bottom of the door, I wrecked mine. Tried penetrating oil, blowtorch, screw extractor, and finally I've exhausted my options. I'm thinking I'm just going to bore the thing out and figure out a way to fasten it once it's back in the door. But if anyone has any better ideas, please shout 'em out!

All this to install a new felt channel, by the way...

Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:28 pm

robxlii wrote: I've got a problem I can't solve, and I'd love some help. Despite the prescient advice to be careful when undoing the double adjustment bolt that holds the vent frame in the bottom of the door, I wrecked mine. Tried penetrating oil, blowtorch, screw extractor, and finally I've exhausted my options. I'm thinking I'm just going to bore the thing out and figure out a way to fasten it once it's back in the door. But if anyone has any better ideas, please shout 'em out!

All this to install a new felt channel, by the way...

Were you ever able to come up with any answers or solutions to getting that diabolical rusted "double adjustment bolt" loosened or out, holding the vent frame to the bottom of the door? I have the exact same issue and I just saw your post from a few months ago tonight. I'm very curious as to what you ultimately tried doing, as you said you tried all the usual approaches to no avail...

Did you wind up having to grind or 'bore' it out as you said you might have to do? I'm faced with the same frustrating situation tonight..

Any updates much appreciated!

Sun Feb 18, 2024 1:20 pm

Quote: Were you ever able to come up with any answers or solutions to getting that diabolical rusted "double adjustment bolt" loosened or out, holding the vent frame to the bottom of the door? I have the exact same issue and I just saw your post from a few months ago tonight. I'm very curious as to what you ultimately tried doing, as you said you tried all the usual approaches to no avail...

Did you wind up having to grind or 'bore' it out as you said you might have to do? I'm faced with the same frustrating situation tonight..

Any updates much appreciated!

Oh, I'm so sorry I'm just seeing this now. Remarkably, after using all those methods, I did end up boring it out, but just slightly smaller than the two-way screw. Then I got a threader/tap the same size as that screw, carefully threaded the drill hole, and was able to reattach the screw as smoothly as if it had just been machined.

If I had to do it again, though, I'd probably soak the whole assembly in penetrating oil overnight, and then try like hell to get it out with a reverse threaded tap. Or cut the whole thing off and weld on a new piece.

It's not an easy task. Good luck!

Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:14 am

^ Thanks for the reply! ^

Looks like I'll likely be doing the same procedure on mine. My intent was to remove the vent window frame, door window, and the winder from the door for paint prep. That would include a "possible" felt channel replacement also. I suppose I COULD attempt to carefully mask around the vent frame, and just avoid the whole 2 way screw surgical extraction step.

I've read many nightmare stories about the current state of affairs regarding aftermarket felt channel strips and not fitting correctly (too tight for the glass). So naturally, I must ask how the felt strips turned out in your frame. I'm thinking I'll just leave mine as they are, since they're original and have minimal wear. They are faded around the outer edges, but a little 'touch up' with black Rit dye on a fine brush or a black Sharpie should take care of that.. I fear having to destroy those felts to remove them, only to have the new replacements not fit and bind the glass.

Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:16 am

I replaced the felt channel on my passenger door, which was missing entirely, and assumed I'd be replacing the driver door one as well, but -- you're right. The fitment of the new channel is too tight and it makes raising and lowering the window impossible, even with perfectly clean and greased gearing. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet -- take it out and live with the gap and rattle, or try to coax and cajole it into loosening up a bit.

If you're doing the scrapers as well...yeah. Also difficult to replace, fitment is never perfect!

Let me know if I can answer any other questions -- I've been messing with my doors and windows for several months.

Wed Oct 09, 2024 10:04 am

Cusser wrote:
FRONT WINDOW SCRAPER
Remove outside scraper. Lower window completely. Remove old inside scraper. Using two people, attach lower lip into groove starting at rear of window, sliding replacement scraper forward as you go using
1 x 4 inch piece of sheet metal with 1/4 inch lip and screwdrivers. When lower lip is in and rubber fully forward to the vent window, pull on upper lip and place into groove. Replace outer scraper. Use baby powder on upper portion of scraper (inside and outside) to reduce "grab" onto window when lowering.
.

I found that to replace just the inside scraper, you don’t need to remove the outside scraper. And that instead of sliding the inside scraper from the rear, you can get hook it in into place with a plastic tool.

https://youtu.be/tapY6sPoljY?si=i8IQXZbOaQDkYbmz