1970 window regulators

[Jon Whiteley]

I am in the process of rebuilding the window regulators (power windows) on my 1970 coupe. The new rollers I've received (GM parts) seem very stiff and don't rotate easily. Any tips from those that have done this project on prep of the rollers (or other recommendations)before I put everything back together.I'd like to do this job only once. Thanks.

[Ed]

Re: 1970 window regulators

Jon, I too am in the middle of this process on my '69 coupe with "manual" windows. I purchased my window rollers from Dr. Rebuild, and am also concerned with the amount of force it takes to turn the roller.

So, I have 2 questions for the experts in this area: 1) should I lube the plastic rollers, and what is the recommended lubricant 2) if I recall correctly, the AIM calls for lubing the roller tracks with white lithium grease. Is this correct, better recommendations?

Thanks, Ed NCRS # 13671

[Jon Whiteley]

Re: 1970 window regulators

Ed, thanks for your reply. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone out there. Anyhow, I had an opportunity to work on my regulator this afternoon and think about the way everything works. In examining the way the rollers move in the tracks, (I looked at the old ones that rotated easily)it appears that the "rollers" really just slide up/down or back/forth in the tracks. There is virtually no rotation of the rollers in the front and rear vertical guides, and perhaps 90 degrees rotation of the smaller rollers in the "scissors" mechanism between full-up and full-down position. This 90 degrees of rotation can be accommodated by rotation of the entire roller/axle assembly in the track/guide itself; or, once the roller loosens up, by rotation of the roller around it's axle/shaft.

I lubricated the rollers themselves with spray-type white lithium (although lubrication here probably not even necessary), and lubed the hinge points and guides/tracks with the more conventional white lithium grease. Don't have the regulator back in and ready to test as I'm awaiting a back-ordered outer window seal I want to install before I "button it up", however manually everything appears to work as it should. I hope to hear from others regarding our window regulator queries. Good luck Ed - keep me posted.