w108 dreaded power window problem

[vandor]

My right front window started doing the typical problem these cars have: it won't go all the way up.
I looked at old threads and someone made a CAD drawing of the gear that goes bad. I tried PM'ing him, but I got no response. Does anyone have that CAD drawing?
Thanks.

[Idle]

The only solution I have ever found to this is to replace the regulator since the teeth on the regulator have worn down. Not the teeth on the main body of the regulator but the teeth at the end of travel. Remove the door panel and look in there and you will see what I mean.

If there is another solution to this I don't know what it is. The motor can be swapped out but there is a bit of a spring to overcome in the regulator. It can be done by one person, though, as I have done it several times.

[Marrs]

Originally Posted by Idle

The only solution I have ever found to this is to replace the regulator since the teeth on the regulator have worn down. Not the teeth on the main body of the regulator but the teeth at the end of travel.

I could be remembering wrong, or it could be for a different chassis, but is this the gear that can just be flipped around so you are using the unworn teeth? (Like flipping a tire around so the whitewalls are on the inside.) Your comment about only part of the teeth being worn reminded me of that fix.

[68_280SE]

The most common problem I've encountered with the power window regulators is that the alloy frames warp and then gears then become misaligned. Ive tried straightening the alloy frames but it's tough to get the them straightened or the frames crack and break.

John

[Idle]

Originally Posted by Marrs

I could be remembering wrong, or it could be for a different chassis, but is this the gear that can just be flipped around so you are using the unworn teeth? (Like flipping a tire around so the whitewalls are on the inside.) Your comment about only part of the teeth being worn reminded me of that fix.

I can't answer that question because I have never tried this. The tough part about that would be taking everything apart and then putting it all back together while fighting that spring. I am not saying it could not be done, but this would exceed my abilities.

But as many 108s, and, since this is a front window, 109s, are out there it should not be that hard to find one that is still useable.

[vandor]

> Not the teeth on the main body of the regulator but the teeth at the end of travel

After doing a search I fund that someone has made a CAD drawing of the part that has the teeth. They made some a few years ago. This is not supposed to be a replaceable part, ie, it's an integral part of the window regulator, however with some ingenuity it can be swapped out.

I am looking for this CAD drawing so I can have some made.

[Tom Drew]

Hi Csaba - Just emailed you the CAD file for the regulator gear. Sorry, I haven't been on the forum much in the last few months.

I would be happy to post this somewhere so it could be downloaded by anyone who needs it. Can that be done somehow through this site, or does anyone have a good method for doing this?

Tom

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by Marrs

I could be remembering wrong, or it could be for a different chassis, but is this the gear that can just be flipped around so you are using the unworn teeth? (Like flipping a tire around so the whitewalls are on the inside.) Your comment about only part of the teeth being worn reminded me of that fix.

This is what I did. I straightened it as much as I could (fear of cracking imminent), took off the old "Rivet" in the center of the gear, flipped it around & re-hammered the rivet. However, it only lasted for me for a good two years of solid use before the re-bending of the regulator took out the other teeth.

[Palolo]

I'd go in on a replacement gear or two since the shop will have to set up a machine for the run.