I think someone tried to break into my car a couple weeks ago and were unsuccessful as there were hundreds of handprints on my window and when i rolled it down, the window flopped sideways and hit me in the face. I took apart the door and noticed that the piece of metal attached to the glass itself was slightly broken.


It appears that there is a wheel like thing that is pressed into this metal thing and it keeps the window in the right place in the up and down motion. I been leaving the window up lately and haven't had a chance to work on it. This wheel has a rod attached to it that is pressed into the metal piece attached to the bottom of the glass. The area where this rod is pressed into the window is cracked and warped so i cant press it back in.

Where do i get a new piece of metal for the bottom of the window and how do i replace it? Also, Do you think itd be a bad idea to tap that rod and insert a screw and put the screw through the hole and it may possibly be the equivalent of the piece being pressed in.

 

Are you talking about the rail on the bottom of the window, that has two wheels sliding on it? If so, you can try and pop those rivets out without shattering the window. I recently replaced my window and let me tell you, it's not exactly easy. If the bottom rail piece of the window is warped/cracked or whatever you should get a new one, unless it doesn't effect how the window opperates. You could try and put a screw through the hole but it might not work the same, but only one way to find out.

On a side note, I still have all the pieces for the inside of the door and window from my replacement door. If you need any of the parts including a window just let me know.

 

This is a common point of failure in our f-body car doors.
I have seen people drill and tap that rod so they can put a bolt in it to hold it.
I would prefer to replace the window track if mine were to break.
Here is a picture of the inside of a car door:


What you are refering to is guide #3 in the picture. The #3 guide is known for coming loose from the main window guide just as you describe. Window guides sets, including all the parts can be found for around $35.00. I've seen them on Ebay, and in the for sale section of this forum.

Replacing it is not easy. You will first need to use a dremel to cut the stems off the 3 rivets that hold the glass to the rail. Once the stems are removed, you can use a punch (gently) to mark a hole for your drill bit to start in. Start with a small bit and make a pilot hole, then switch to a larger bit and drill out the rivets.

Once the rivets are out, the glass will pull strait out. Next, remove the window motor and the 2 small window tracks. One runs vertically, and the other is really small and runs horizontally. Be carefull of the spring tension in the regulator with the motor removed.
Next, you have to get the two arms of the regulator out of the main window channel. This can be tricky, you'll need to once again be very carefull of the spring tension of the regulator. It may help to have a second set of hands present to help hold off the spring tension.

now you install your new main channel and reassemble. I recommend using Stainless Steel bolts and locknuts to hold the windows in instead of rivets. Those big rivets require a pretty heavy duty rivet gun to shoot.

Also, Shoebox has a video on his site showing the motion of the window hardware. see the video HERE

 

Shoe box that video is awesome. My problem is, I had someone bust out my window trying to brake in... alarm went off and they ran... but when I got my window replaced, they said the guide wheel had broken off and to buy a new one, I have to buy the whole thing from chevy. Kit is $200 wheel? Next to nothing... try wrecker?

The whole window slides back and forth (left to right... right to left) I have to push the window back to make it come up and seal properly.

Question is... where is the wheel located and Im guessing its plastic? Should be located in the long slide rail looking thing to the right correct?

 

I fixed the link on my post above so you can see the diagram now. The guids you broke is #3. TO fix it you'll need to eother tack weld it back on, or find a new main track somewhere.

 

Weld them on? Will have to take a look... pouring rain out today... Im a welder fabricator so that should be easy. I have welded thinner metal. I now recall the window guy saying it was a wheel or what he called the window regulator... is that the same as #3? Thanks for all your help!

 

#3 is a steel pin with a plastic wheel mounted to it. The steel pin is tack welded into the main rail. What happens, is the tack breaks loose.

You can put it back with a new weld, or replace it.

 

I know this is a very old thread, But I am fairly new around here and I have the same issue as stated by the OP. I have searched and searched the web looking for this part. Can somebody please help?

 

A pick-your-part salvage yard will be your best bet. As old as these cars are now, there are loads of them in junk yards.

Find one with a damaged doorskin and busted window as to not destroy a good door, and use a cordless jigsaw to cut the fiberglass door apart and easily get the window track.

You'll be cutting on the inside of the door, behind the door panel.
It is not possible to remove the track with the window attached. That is why I said to find one with a busted window.