Clamshell Rear Window Help: window adjustment

I've been making some new weatherstripping for the top of the tailgate (more on that later) and found that my driver side was not sealing properly. After investigation I found that the driver side of the rear window was not rolling down all the way. I can let it all the way down and then pull it the rest of the way, but it easily pushes back up. It seems that there is about 1/2 - 1" of play at the end and it feels as though it needs to be tightened up. It seems that when the window gets to the end of it's travel and is almost closed, the play in the window doesn't allow it to close all the way.

Here is how the window closes on its own:



And here is how the window looks when I pull it down to the bottom by hand:



Is there an adjustment somewhere that I can tighten the window with? It feels like if I could pull the window down and somehow clamp it or tighten it then the problem would be fixed.


Thanks,
Brandon

 

there are roller sliders up in each rear roof post.they should have 7/16th's head bolts and be adjustable and not letting the window go down far enough the drive unit is on the rt side so THAT may not be pulling it down far enough either there are bolts down low and some up HIGH (hope ya didn't do that headliner yet) towards the roof area plus there MAY be a stopper that is adjustable at the bottom separate from the slider unit

 

This sounds like it's going to be a pain in the tuckus

 

Brandon, does the window shift around and feel loose in the tracks? Or does it just feel like it is dragging on something on that side? If I understand your post, the passenger side of the window pulls down all the way, but the driver's side is still up about half an inch.

I have never attempted to adjust my rear window, but I do know there is a helper spring up in the roof, but it is to help it on the way up...no spring to assist going down, if I'm not mistaken.







This helper spring most likely has nothing to do with your problem, but it is not included in my clamshell window thread: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8044
The only reason I show you it, is because things get pretty mysterious up in that headliner area, and I have everything exposed on mine, and it's STILL mysterious!

Killer has the best advice for adjusting your glass, since I have never had any reason to mess with mine.

When I get back over to my wagon tomorrow, I will try putting my glass up and down and see if there is any play at all.

Also, this glass has a lot going against it on the driver's side:
The window drive is on the passenger side pulling it up and down.
The helper spring is assisting it going up.
The rollers in the track are subject to dragging for old solidified lube and dirt and debris. (yours are probably clean as a whistle)
The new weatherstrip might exert pressure and create drag on the glass.

David

 

suggestion you could try first Brandon, Spray that channel on each side down with a can of red or white spray grease.(I don't think the red hardn's as much over time and they come with a lil red tube to aim with) Spray the roller wheels and tracks on both sides AND you can hit the worm gear on the window drive on the pass side do it and move the window up and down do again and again to get the lube all over that worm gear drive.That may help if she's draggin like Wixom said that's def a possibility

 

Brandon, my window does have some play in it. It's not exactly loose, but I could push it up a little.
I'm thinking your glass is dragging in the tracks and maybe on your weatherstrip.

Maybe other Clamshell owners can check their glass to see if a little play is normal. I just don't want to see you trying to adjust out normal play until you have troubleshot other somewhat likely causes.

Normal power windows in car doors use a powerful regulator to move the glsss, usually a scissor type or plastic cogged ribbon. The force when raised is centered and evenly distributed. But the clamshell glass can only rely on the right side regulator to move it up and down. Because of that, any resistance against the guides in the track or against the glass itself will cause the unregulated side to hang up, unlike the passenger side that has the force of the cable drive regulator.

David

 

yea when he pulls it down it seems right I will check my window tomorrow I have had many and never had this prob could be that "new" side weatherstrip or just lag/sticky before adjustment like wix said do investigation.


Now that I think about it my olds didn't always "come down all the way" but I had the power rear door so I would first shut the window and pull it down then close the door. always sealed tight that way

 

OK, I think I fixed the problem. It still can be slid up and down a little by hand, but not to the extent that it used to and now it seems to roll down far enough to seal.

After looking in the body manual and searching over and playing with the entire assembly for a long time I finally realized the set-bolt was missing from the side-adjustment cam.

Here, I'm pointing to where the missing bolt should be. When loosened, this bolt allows travel to allow the window to be adjusted.


Here, I'm pointing to the 1/4-20, 1/2" bolt that I used for the hole.


This is on the top, passenger side of the window, in this general area:



Now I need to find a way to fabricate some weather stripping for the top corners of the tailgate, to the left and right beyond where the window is.

 

Great reporting Brandon!

too!

 

Thanks, Mike.

I also found that I was missing another bolt. If you look at the very top right of the first picture you'll see what appears to be a slot. There should be a bolt here to hold the passenger side track down. Though I don't believe this was effecting any operational problems at the time, I will replace it because it could lead to them in the future.

Brandon

 

Great job, Brandon! So glad you were able to solve your issues with your rear window!

I'm sure going to be going over my entire system with a flashlight to check for any missing screws. Your wagon looks so clean and original, so if your window system was missing screws, anyone's could.

I also tagged a link to this thread onto my window thread. That thread really just showed the window in operation, with no troubleshooting of any value, but coupled with your findings, it might actually help someone else with adjustment problems.

My hat's off to you and WagonKiller for some excellent info!

Great job, Brandon! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

David

 

lol yanno what mine's been sort of making funky noises since I got it it works just fine BUT does not "sound" quite right. I belive I will look and see that I don't have any missing bolts! Had it all apart when I redid the car but never removed any of these but who knows?

 

Yeah, I can't imagine the scenario where these bolts would have been removed and not put back. I would put money on a 50/50 shot that they were removed or somehow backed out and fell out over time.

 

OK, I'm going to continue this discussion in a more appropriately named thread... "Making Clamshell Weatherstripping"

 

Worth a sticky!!
Thanks for sharing