1956 Problem w/ passenger side window

[Bill F.]

My recollection is that this window worked fine in the past. Any thoughts on what is going on or where I need to probe?

Thanks

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, I had a similar problem on my '56 and it turned out to be the felt lining the window runs had come loose and bunched up where the window would not roll up. I think it would have taken a four foot cheater bar to have gotten the windows all the way up. In my case I had problems with both windows and both had to be removed to replace the felt liners. I hate to say it but I don't remember what adhesive we used the second time around. In my case with the door panel removed and the access panels removed I was able to see that the felt liners had come loose. Whatever you do don't force the window crank as you will strip or break something in the process. I seriously doubt that the gear box is the problem. Another problem I had was that the reproduction window cranks don't fit the window crank studs very well at all. Unfortunately some things you just have to live with. I do wish you all the best with your '56. Please let us know how you come out. Brooks Glover (2141)

[Mike E.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

I would support Brooks’ suggestion.
I once bought a 62 that had lived in a corn crib for 20 years. Could not get the passenger window more than 40% down. Removed the door panel and access plates. The mice didn’t need the access plates. The nest was so large the window could not compress it enough.

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, I had a similar problem on my '56 and it turned out to be the felt lining the window runs had come loose and bunched up where the window would not roll up. I think it would have taken a four foot cheater bar to have gotten the windows all the way up. In my case I had problems with both windows and both had to be removed to replace the felt liners. I hate to say it but I don't remember what adhesive we used the second time around. In my case with the door panel removed and the access panels removed I was able to see that the felt liners had come loose. Whatever you do don't force the window crank as you will strip or break something in the process. I seriously doubt that the gear box is the problem. Another problem I had was that the reproduction window cranks don't fit the window crank studs very well at all. Unfortunately some things you just have to live with. I do wish you all the best with your '56. Please let us know how you come out. Brooks Glover (2141)

Brooks, thanks for the response.
Was it the rear or front vertical channel where the felt bunched up, or both?
Were you able to clear the channels so you could at least get the window all the way up to facilitate removal?
At times the 4' cheater bar is tempting, but with old Corvettes it just usually means spending a lot more money to fix!
Thanks, Bill. I will let you know how it works out.

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Thanks Mike. Fortunately I didn't find signs of previous residents when I pulled the door panel.

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, if my memory serves me right everything had to come back out including door post and trim at the top of the door in order to get the window as well as the front and rear tracks out to be redone. For me the trim at the top front of the door was especially a pain to reinstall. I still don't recall what adhesive we used to bond the felt in the channel. I am sure that this is not what you wanted to hear. Perhaps someone else may have a better idea. I wish you good luck! I would love for you to post a picture of your car. Take care. Brooks Glover Jr. (2141)

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window


Hello Brooks, Well I think I have eliminated the front and rear tracks as well as the central guide track as the sources of obstruction.
The only thing left is the horizontal track under the window. I cannot see the space between the front and rear rollers because of the
flat bar coming from the window crank. Do you think that is a logical place for the obstruction?
Enclosed are a couple recent pictures. It has a recently rebuilt 265 w/ 2 x 4's, and a 3 speed manual. I rewired the car while the motor
was out being rebuilt. OK, now let me see yours!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, It's possible that a long arm on the regulator is catching on the horizontal lower sash of the window frame. You might try this....

As you crank it upward until it stops, crank it down just a bit. Then carefully hold the top of the window and pull it towards you or away from you just a little bit. Then try to raise it past the point where it stopped.

If this works you may have a bent regulator arm.

Rich

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Rich,
I think this was a good suggestion because it pointed me in a direction I had not been looking at.
Unfortunately, it does not appear that this is the problem.
Frustrating as there is not much else in the door to look at.
I hate to just start replacing things.
Thanks for the response, Bill

[Mike E.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, I have done dozens and dozens of 56-62 windows, and haven’t encountered exactly what you are dealing with. It isn’t uncommon for a window to stick part way up like that. But usually by pulling the front corner of the window up and toward the rear with one hand, while working the crank with the other will free it up. At times the window frame will bind on one of the rubber-tipped window stops at the top of the door, but it sounds like your window is raised past that point. Have you removed the tar-paper-like covers that are glued over some of those small round access holes? Occasionally that will enable you to see something that you haven’t seen. Also, removing the two large screws with the external star washers on the rear of the door will release the rear track. If your window is far enough up, you can slide it down and work it off of the rear of the window, or at least work it up and down on the rear of the window. That may give you some fore-aft wiggle room and/or the assurance that the problem is not there.
Regarding the horizontal track at the bottom of the windshield frame, you might be lucky enough that the window is positioned so that you can get the 4 small screws (2 on each end) off and out. Then you can slide that back far enough to get off the bottom of the window and work it off and then the window is much freer to manipulate also.
Maybe something here will trigger something that will be helpful.
Good luck! Nice car! My 57 is the same colors as yours, except for a tan top instead of black.

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Mike, thanks for the response.
All access holes are uncovered, and I've thought about cutting a couple more! I stuck the phone & iPad in there to try and get some pictures. I am not seeing anything that strikes me as the problem, but if you don't mind giving me an email address I would be glad to send them to you.
I can access the 4 small screws that hold the window to the track (barely). Does someone sell those screws separately?
Have also loosened up the large screws on the end of the door to see if maybe the track was in a bind, but that didn't do anything. I can run a coat hanger w/ about a 5/16 loop on the end all the way down both front and rear tracks.
Any suggestions are welcome! You don't live near Savannah do you?
Thanks, Bill

[Brooks G.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Bill, I have been trying to post pictures of my car to no avail. I have posted pictures in the past but the format has changed and I am left scratching my head wondering how I can get there from here. Brooks Glover Jr. (2141)

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Brooks, I fully understand. Seems like every website is different when you want to attach a picture.
Usually helps to get a grandchild to help!

[Bill F.]

Re: 1956 Problem w/ passeneger side window

Mike! You are the man!!
I tried your first thing of pulling up the front corner while working the crank, and lo and behold I was able to work it all the way up!!
Granted it is a bit sloppy and needs guidance back towards the front as I got near the top, but it is workable!
Woohoo! I owe you a beer!
I pulled on this window a lot of different ways, but obviously not the right way.
OK. I'm thinking of spraying white grease on the mechanisms in there. Any harm there?
Want to try and keep it off the inside of the outer door skin in case there is a tendency for products like this to bleed through and damage the paint?
I guess if I really want this to be perfect it will require new tracks and a new regulator. I've had this car for 9 years, drive it in nice weather, and hence no need to put the window up for several years. We are going to a local show in a couple weeks, and just wanted to be sure I could close the car up if need be while we have dinner. That is what precipitated this whole adventure.
Would love to see a picture of your car if you care to post it. Judging from your member number this may not be your first 56/57?
Sincere thanks for the help! Bill