I just pulled the window glass from a wrecked Camaro, lower guide rail still attached. A definate PITA. Can I drop it in my car like it is, without destroying my door? Like I did getting it out.

 

I just put new window regulators in and had to also replace the track mounted to the window. I saw no way of getting it in or out with the track still attached. I had to drill the rivets out to remove it. When i put the new one in though, I used stainless steel bolts with nylon locknuts. Just in case it ever has to come out again. You already have it out, so it should not be that hard to drill the rivests, at least compared to doing it in the door. Then you can just bolt it back together inside the door.

 

I took my windows out and replaced them with the rail still attached. You have to jigsaw it in there with the front part going in first. Of course you have to take everything but the motor out, then put it all back together once the window is actually in. It can be done, it just takes time and patience.

 

Jigsaw? You mean you actually cut your door?

I have had both mine apart, I did not see any way to install the glass with the rail attached, short of cutting the fiberglass door. You can try forcing it through, but I didnt want to because it would scratch the edges all up. I ended up drilling out the rivets, and I also used stainless steel bolts with nylon locknuts to reattach instead of rivets.

 

No, I meant you have to work it around like a jigsaw puzzle, not cut. Yeah I cut my door a little forcing it in from the rail, but it is not huge and the door panel covers it anyways.

 

Bringing this back up, just to say what a PITA this is! I got the old window and rail out with some effort because the roller towards the rear of the glass had broken off. No way I'm gonna get my new glass back in without taking it apart, because the roller sticks way out. That sucks...

BTW, due to the broken roller, and the previous owner forcing the window up and down, some of the rivet holes in the door where the regulator attaches are enlarged. Any advice on fixing that? I was thinking JB weld...

thanks
kevin

 

bolts and washers

 

The holes are oval, or even slotted, from the regulator wobbling around in them. Do you think bolts and washers will clamp tightly enough without crushing the plastic door, and not just let the regulator get misaligned in the slotted holes? I was thinking the JB weld would let me build the holes back to round.