VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 window regulators

I am ready to reinstall my window regulators in the four door. I noticed that what appears to be leather washers on the ends of the arms are pretty well worn, some missing. How, where do I go about replacing, repairing,

Chevys of the 40's sells new roller and rivets as kits for updating your regulators. They are $1.50 each and easy to install. While you are putting on new rollers you should try to lubricate the spring inside the gear that is turned by the window handle. If the handle will not turn this gear, or the spring inside is broken, then you will need to take the three rivets out of the gear casing and replace the spring and free up any of the frozen internal parts. I could do this for you if you can not do it yourself. I would sandblast everything, replace or repair all broken parts and put a coat of POR 15 paint on everything. Good luck, If you need any help, send me a PM or call me (989-832-7634). Mike

Thanks Mike, I found the parts at Chevs of the 40's. It says in the description that for 37-48 needs modification. Whats that about? Anyway, I will order enough for all four doors. If I can't figure it out I may take you up on your offer.

Russell, For your car you shouldn't need to modify anything. I just put the the roller on the rivet and place it in the hole on the arm and put it in a bench vice and slowly draw the vice tight collapsing the rivet. The only modification could be that the hole in the arm may need to be drilled to accommodate the size of the rivet. Be extra careful to get the rivet on the right side of the arm!!!

It's a real easy job if the gear for the handle is not damaged or froze up??? Good luck, Mike

A little while ago I decided to see how much trouble it is going to be to change these. I grabbed my drill with a 1/4" bit and started to drill out the old rivet. Within a few seconds I discovered that the old rivet is not 1/4". It must be 5/16". The new ones are 1/4". How do I handle this. Any suggestions?

I had the same problem on my 48 fleetmaster, took the mig welder
and welded around the hole,, then drill out ,suggest u do one at a time to get rivet on right side... Ernie

Up date, I called Chevs of 40's and the person I told what I found told me that of the hundreds that they have sold this is the first time anyone has had a problem to their knowledge. Oh well. I checked The Filling Station and they had rivets in 5/16 so I ordered some. They came Friday. Today I tried them. Perfect fit and very easy to install. Took all of 30 minutes to change all 12. Just want to let y'all know.

Russell

The "heads" of my rivets are 5/8" dia., but Chev of 40s shows theirs to be 1/2" dia. Did you run into this inconsistency? How did you resolve it?

Also, do the original nylon rollers have a grove as shown by Chev of 40s? All of my rollers are gone entirely, so I can't determine whether rollers had a groove or were solid.

Thanks,
Guy

Hi Guy,
First let me say that I am not a type r. I tried to answer your pm and almost finished and the next thing I knew it was gone. Will try again later.

As to this window stuff, it's pretty simple after a lot of research. The “original” was a steel rivet around 7/16 that slides in the channel. There was no nylon part. It had a leather washer on the inside and outside of the channel to control rattle. The size of the head on the rivet really doesn't matter. The new replacement rivet is made where the plastic part takes the place of the leather washers and rolls in the slot in the tracks. Once again, the head size does not come into play. The part that caused my problem was the flared end needed to be 5/16” but co40's is 1/4”. Be sure to check yours.

Russell, your explanation is most helpful, as is the photo. Before seeing your photo, I assumed that the entire roller rides inside the "C" channel, and consequently could not see why roller had groove. I now understand the purpose of the groove. Thanks for your help! Guy

I understand completely as I thought the same. Yes, a picture can explain so much. I wish others would post pic's with their explanations to questions. Yes, I know it is a pain in the butt to post pic's. I wish they could be directly downloaded to this site. Hint, hint.

Guy emailed this note to me thought it was best to share.


I don't know of a source for the large spring that is referred to as a window regulator spring. I have a couple extra ones I took off regulators I didn't need, but if someone has a source let us know. I do know of a source for the smaller window regulator clutch spring it is Restoration Specialties & supply, Inc. The phone number is 814-467-9842, or web address www.RESTORATIONSPECIALTIES.COM Thanks, Mike

Mike

A couple months ago I found a source for the beefy 5-ring coil spring that goes on the outside of window regulator, but now can't find it. They were offered both on eBay & off, by same outfit. Off eBay $12 each, on eBay $12.50, as I recall. Will keep hunting & post if find. Also, there are several similar on eBay for other vehicles that might work, but 2X price. Search eBay for "window regulator spring."

Until I re-read your earlier post to Russell in this topic, I didn't realize there is also a spring inside the gear housing. How can you tell if it's broken, without taking the housing apart? On eBay I found something that might be similar for Corvette. eBay item 320715434450. Is this the type of spring that's in the gear housing?

Guy

Mike

Here's the eBay item # for window regulator assist springs. They're $12.95 ea. Ebay Item 260782990070

Seller is American Antique Auto Parts, in Kenner, LA. They have a website & carry other items, too.

Address for window regulator assist springs at American Antique Auto Parts

http://www.aaaparts.cwmax.com/chevydor.htm

Mike

Found the clutch springs at the link you gave to Restoration Specialties. Very interesting catalog; lots of obscure parts not found elsewhere. Problem, though, how do you know what they carry, without flipping through every page? Should prove to be an excellent source once gain familiarity with what they carry & how it is organized. I may just print the entire catalog to study. Thanks for the lead!

Still would like to know how to tell if regulator clutch spring is broken.

Guy

I think, a well lubricated working regulator will not hold up the weight of the glass with a broken clutch spring. The clutch spring keeps the regulator from allowing the window to slip down when the window is up and you have not moved the window handle. If the window easily slips open the spring is broken. Mike

P.S. Spent the afternoon at the Anniversary Meet in Flint setting up for the swap meet. Temps a little over 90 but it's so cool to be here!!!

Mike

Thanks for the advice.

Would liked to have attended Flint. Once-in-a-lifetime event. Compared to down here, 90 is a bit chilly. Good luck with the swap meet.

Guy