Power Window Motor Swap

[Silverbird]

:mad: This was NOT fun!! 1996 Grand Am GT 2dr.
After drilling out these 4 huge rivets (1/4"), pulled the assembly out through one of the openings, then removed the 3 small rivets on the motor. Problem begins now!

Large coiled tension spring. :mad: Factory manual didn't say squat about there being a spring you have to restrain when you remove the motor. Spring popped out. Well no way to figure out the way it was originally and no way to get it back in, so I left it out.
Window works fine now, just a little slow when going up.

Other than that darn spring it wasn't too bad. When I have to do this again, at least all I have to deal with are the bolts and nuts.

If anyone has any thoughts about how to replace this spring, I would really like to hear from you. I think this why the window goes up a little slow. It will probably burn this motor out quickly.

Oh well at least its working now for the time being.

[nice96gt]

I don't remember there being a spring when I changed my window motor. Where exactly was it located?

[Vhrus]

I still have a box of parts left over from my cavalier, it seems everytime I fix something I end up with parts left over..... I think GM just puts allot of extra usless parts in to try and encourage us to take it to the dealer :lol:

[MantaGreen97]

^Just as puzzled as you Ryan. I don't remember there being a spring either. We both have 4-door cars though, maybe it's a two door thing?

The only thing I can think a spring would be used for is to assist the window going up, which given the larger 2-door glass might make sense; also might explain the slow up operation now. But I've still never heard of a spring for the power window, and yeah it isn't mentioned in the S/M either...

[Silverbird]

Well it must be a 2 door thing if you guys with 4 doors didn't find one in there. You are probably right about the glass on a 2 door being heavier. I didn't even see it myself until it popped out.
Its a big, flat wound spring.

Its a wonder it didn't cut my leg and knee up badly as they were right next to it..
I had the regulator assembly laying on the ground and had just finished drilling out the last motor rivet and pow! It let go!

I would like to get it back in there correctly but I don't see how.

[nice96gt]

I would love to help you but I don't have a clue. I would remove the other door panel and have a look on that side to see what it looks like.

[ALMB~Nova]

is this what the spring looks like
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hsspring.com/images/popups/cbs.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hsspring.com/&h=150&w=183&sz=8&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=q8WmH2AZwn-svM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwindow%2Bregulator%2Bspring%26svnum%3 D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DHPIC,HPIC:2006-04,HPIC:en%26sa%3DN

[Big Joe]

Originally posted by nice96gt
I would love to help you but I don't have a clue. I would remove the other door panel and have a look on that side to see what it looks like.



:agree: take a look both sides should be the same.

[nice96gt]

yep...I have never seen one of those.

[Big Joe]

Originally posted by ALMB~Nova
is this what the spring looks like
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hsspring.com/images/popups/cbs.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hsspring.com/&h=150&w=183&sz=8&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=q8WmH2AZwn-svM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwindow%2Bregulator%2Bspring%26svnum%3 D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DHPIC,HPIC:2006-04,HPIC:en%26sa%3DN


thats part of the regulator I have one on mine too


edit: give me 5 minuets ill get a pic.

[Big Joe]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/Pictures/Picture029.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/Pictures/Picture028.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/BigJoe5313/Pictures/Picture030.jpg

[nice96gt]

hmmmm....I never took my regulator off when I changed my motor this time so maybe that's why I didn't see the spring. Mine could have it...:???:

That pic should help him Joe! Nice job! :thumbup2:

[Silverbird]

Thanks Big Joe!
Thats the culprit! Are the pictures for the drivers door?
That motor looks different than the one I put in.

OK now how do you get that spring back on???:???:

[Big Joe]

the motor looks different cause its a 4 door one. I dont know how to get it back on its wound pretty dam tight.

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by nice96gt
hmmmm....I never took my regulator off when I changed my motor this time so maybe that's why I didn't see the spring. Mine could have it...:???:

Yeah I'm thinking maybe I might have had it on mine now too (after seeing the picture and thinking I might have missed it) but I really doubt it as it doesn't look at all familiar and it would have sprung off like his did too, making me notice it, lol.

But I have another question, lol. Ryan how on earth did you change your motor without removing the regulator??? I couldn't see a way of doing that when I did mine. I drilled out the rivets on the regulator and pulled the whole thing out. You're telling me it could be even easier than that? I don't get how you'd drill out the regulator-to-motor rivets, or even re-rivet the motor to the regulator without removing the assembly :???:

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by Big Joe
the motor looks different cause its a 4 door one. I dont know how to get it back on its wound pretty dam tight.

Wait actually your pictures look like you replaced the regulator with an aftermarket one, Joe. I.e. That isn't the factory regulator and motor on there; it's one of those aftermarket ones like the ones on eBay...

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by MantaGreen97
But I have another question, lol. Ryan how on earth did you change your motor without removing the regulator??? I couldn't see a way of doing that when I did mine. I drilled out the rivets on the regulator and pulled the whole thing out. You're telling me it could be even easier than that? I don't get how you'd drill out the regulator-to-motor rivets, or even re-rivet the motor to the regulator without removing the assembly :???:

I'm extremely talented :D

I think that motor had been replaced already before I bought the car, otherwise I would have had to pull the regulator. The rivets were already drilled out and replaced with screws so all I did was remove them and swap the motor. I got it lucky for that one. :)

[hamiltonaudio]

are there any tech articles on this that explain the process of pulling a regulator and changing a motor? I'm about to go down that road myself :(

bmoney

[nice96gt]

it's not that bad, just awkward...just do a search on here and you should find the rough details on it

[rixGAphx]

As to installation of a flat-wound 'clock' spring:

On a bench or table, wind it tightly the correct number of spirals (as counted in teh picture above).
You may hafta use dowels and c-clamps and such to get it tight.
A light coating of oil will reduce friction, and provide rust-resistance once installed.

Then hold the spring in wound configuration by tying baling wire around it, just the way you'd tie a garden hose or extension cord for storage.

Install the wound and bound spring in permanent position, then cut the baling wire to release the spring.