[TimGti]

I knew it was only a matter of time before my window dissapeared into the door. Sure enough this afternoon before I had even driven the car out of the garage, snap.....drop.....dissapered into the door before I could catch it. Stupid VW build quality. []

Never really paid attention to this before so what do I need to fix it and how easily does the driver side door panel come off?

Cheers

 

[Harbinger]

I haven't had this happen to my car (yet) but I did find a write up to fix it here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1015107

On the same note, is there any easy way to tell when your windows are about to drop?

 

[tylerama]

I knew it was only a matter of time before my window dissapeared into the door. Sure enough this afternoon before I had even driven the car out of the garage, snap.....drop.....dissapered into the door before I could catch it. Stupid VW build quality. []

Never really paid attention to this before so what do I need to fix it and how easily does the driver side door panel come off?

Cheers

Tim,

I got the regulator repair kit from my stealers. It's about ?30. you get a new run of cable and the two new metal clips.

I do think it's a two man job to do it, imo. wallacel (Lee) helped me with mine.. perhaps lee can give you some tips. It's not ALL that hard, just fiddly. I think the most awkward bit is getting the panel off and all the bits un clipped.that guide on the vortex is very good though.

 

[HardeepG]

I agree, the vwvortex guide is excellent. Makes it look more of a meal than it really is. I did the drivers side myself in around 2.5hrs. Instead of holding the glass up by tape, i removed glass completely. Kit is around ?30 from dealers but they may have to order it in (took a couple of days for mine). Change the other side now while you're at it, cos you don't want it to happen when you're miles from home and its pissing it down.

I've got a spare passenger side for a 3dr if you need it

 

[TimGti]

That vortex giude is looking a bit complicated & im not sure I have enough Ink in my printer to print out the entire thing! Useful though nonetheless!

Think im gonna tackle it at the weekend i'll be using my bike til then! Cheers for the info lads []

 

[TimGti]

Also, why do I need a new run of cable? Surely just the clips are gonna need replacing, how comes the kit is ?30. Do you get loads of other stuff in the kit, I cant imagine what else im gonna need?

 

[Mo]

I changed my last set of clips in mine in about 30 mins.

Take your time and you will be fine. Give us a shout if you get stuck.

 

[PaulGT]

if u have VW assistance use that, thats what u pay for! I did! [H]

 

[Vincec79]

When I first looked at that VW Vortex thread I thought that it seemed really complex and that it could be a bit of an epic but once I got started it really wasn't all that bad.

It does help to have someone else there to help you at certain stages, but I managed to do by myself alright.

First tip is that you don't actuall mess about taking the door lock off as described in the guide because I found that you can actually disconnect the cables and just feed them though the inner metal skin that you have to remove (you'll know when you get there) because they do have rubber grommets but these can be pushed through the holes as can all the wiring.

Second tip is to replace the cable reel assembly regardless because although it may look alright 9 times out of 10 the cable comes out of the guide when the glass drops and get twisted up and wrecked.

Definately print the guide off though as it really helps espicially with the pictures.

 

[PowerHorse]

I've had my Golf since 99 and the windows seem fine and have never dropped, am i just lucky or does it only happen to a older or newer cars.

I have a 5 door golf so do i have to get all four windows done?

I am a bit worried about it now.

Do you think Shaq could get these kits cheaper?

 

[Vincec79]

I would say that you have been lucky so far going by the number of people, including myself who have experienced it. Plus theres the fact that it has happened enough for VW to actually sell it as a repair kit.

The problem stems from the fact that they decided to use plastic regulator clips rather than metal clips. Though newer cars (2003 onwards) where fitted with metal clips

 

[Mo]

1 word of advice is to keep hold of your old cables once you change
em.My cable managed to tangle itself into the mechanism and my window
fell in a second time.Luckily i had an old cable to replace it with.

 

[Harbinger]

Does the VW repair kit replace the clips with more plastic ones or the newer spec metal ones?

If its plastic it might be worth getting a kit of the newer car anyways. Durability durability durability!

 

[Vincec79]

The repair kit comes with two Metal clips and the wire/pulley mechanism (enough for one window only)

 

[Harbinger]

So might it be worthwhile to replace the plastic clips with the metal ones before the windows drop?

Just as a preventative measure?

 

[Mo]

you may want to do that.Check first tho to see what clips you have.

 

[Mo]

How did you get on Tim ?

 

[TimGti]

How did you get on Tim ?

Did'nt do any more after I pm'd u because I had to go to work. I dont pick up the repair kit until Sat morning so could do little more until then anyway.

Those Bolts at the end of the door holding the locking module are nearly immpossible to undo though!

Gonna carry on tommorow afternoon I think.

Cheers for your help mate, ill be in touch when I next get stuck! []

 

[Mo]

Cool.

Where abouts are you based mate ?

 

[TimGti]

Cool.
Where abouts are you based mate ?

Not too far from Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone in Kent.