Window stuck

JasonNC

I was rolling the window down at a fast food restaurant in my 49 Super Six coupe and the window channel went down with the window.  It was 39 degrees and when I tried to roll the window back up after getting my order, the channel started back up but stopped just short of its original position.  The window wouldn't go up the last four inches and now is stuck and won't go either up or down.  What gives?  I'm really not thrilled about taking the door panel off to fix this if there is a cure without going that far.  

JasonNC

I didn't put new channel in the car, but my guess would be that the previous owner did.  So what do you think was done wrong.  I don't want to make the same mistake.  

Lance

Jason, Ken is correct about taking the panel off and getting to the window from the inside of the door.   A lot of times if the channel was replaced ,the channel was not secured to the top of the door frame channel opening.  On factory jobs the top of the channel had a several clips that were secured to the top of the channel and then it was slid into a rectangular hole at the top of the frame. Those clips are still available from Restoration Specialties in Pa. or you can use a strong adhesive like a 3M trim adhesive to do the job the clips would do. Once it has been secured, the channel is now in place and won't roll up and down with the window.

RichardD

side bar: I use powdered Teflon on basically all my old-car window slide channels. This is also good for any sliding mechanism that needs non-greasy lubrication. Comes in aerosol cans. An item most folks don't know of, but a good one to have on the shelf.

JasonNC

In my frustration I forgot that I had had the glass replaced in that door because it was cracked.  I never was too happy about the way it rolled up and down after that compared to the passenger side window. Now that I have an idea as to what has probably happened, I’m thinking about going back to have them fix the problem.  I don’t know what I did to cause the print to be bold like this.  I’m typing on my IPad.  

JasonNC

Thanks Ken, Lance and Richard.  

m.patterson56

My channels were original and in decent shape but when I installed a new glass, it seemed to bind going up and down. There is a section of horizontal channel in the door that the linkage slides in. It is attached to the inside of the door with two screws. I stopped the binding by slightly slotting the rear hole in the door and raising the back end of the channel slightly. This might take a little pressure off the felt channels for you.

JasonNC

I took the panel off and pushed the front channel back up.  This channel was being held in place by a small screw that had came out.  I replaced that screw with a slightly longer screw and that solved the problem, at least for now.  The window works better than it ever has.  

JasonNC

I thought about trying to rivet it back in place but my riveting tool is too big for that particular job.