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Window off track (regulator replaced twice)

5.2K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  gemtim  
#1 ·
As the title says my passenger window started coming off the track so I replaced it. It didn't fix anything so I lubed the tracks and it worked fine for a couple weeks before it started coming off again and got worse over time. I just replaced the regulator a second time and now it's worse. Before, it slid up and down smooth enough. Now it struggles to move.

I'm now thinking either the door's bent or I had bad luck and both of the regulators I bought were bent during shipping. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

A couple notes: I grazed a fence with my passenger front corner which could've shifted the door frame (highly unlikely since it was a wooden fence and gave way). Also, the latest regulator I received had a bent tab on the motor which I had to bend back in order to be able to mount the motor which could mean other portions were bent (didn't notice anything obvious).
 
#2 · (Edited)
I've replaced maybe 5 regulators on my 93 wagon, I've never seen the glass go "off track" as the system in the Gen3 Camry is pretty much trouble free when it comes to alignment. Maybe the regulator themselves are made wrong or failing?

I had 2 super cheap ($30) Ebay regulators fail within 1 week of install, the only type that has lasted has been so called "highest quality" (~$63) units from 1A Automotive on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Windo...5?fits=Year:1993|Make:Toyota|Model:Camry&hash=item336ba1ac63:g:FQkAAOSwu4BVzbHb

The cables fall apart on all the cheap units IME.

what specific model/year do you have?
 
#3 ·
The ones I bought were the cheap ones but the first time around I replaced the drivers side too just in case. That ones been working fine until the motor started slowing down recently. I'm not ruling out manufacturing defect but I'm thinking I should be able to fix it somehow since the components arent damaged.

Just to clarify by "off track" I mean that the corner sticks out when you roll up the window. I either have to guide it up or push in the window from the outside then roll it up more. I'll post a photo when I get the chance.
 
#6 ·
I believe he bought some cheap aftermarket units, which is understandable as the OEM unit is still $336 for my '93.

I'd suspect the units bought were for a different application and/or made wrong, the window should never protrude if the unit is installed correctly with the right design/geometry. Its not like older Corolla windows that need to have the glass clamped in and carefully aligned, its idiot proof. Later models lose the cable drive and should be even more durable.
 
#7 ·
When I replaced mine I went with OEM since I did not want problems down the road. The OEM ones have been redesigned to fix a problem with the cable binding and slowing down the motor. Mine has been in several years now and it raises the window very fast even when it is cold weather. I used the very little bit of window adjustment allowed to tilt my glass a little forward and it stopped the wind noise that I had.
W95c
 
#8 ·
Success!!!

SUCCESS! I found out that the track had been pinched a bit because (I'm assuming) the side mirror was leaned on or hit while the window was rolled down. Like I said earlier, the problem had been happening from the first day I was given the car so I never suspected it could be a problem. The only reason I figured it out was because I decided to widen the tracks "cuz why not."

Here's the video I took of the problem right before I inadvertently fixed it.

 
#9 ·
SUCCESS! I found out that the track had been pinched a bit because (I'm assuming) the side mirror was leaned on or hit while the window was rolled down. Like I said earlier, the problem had been happening from the first day I was given the car so I never suspected it could be a problem. The only reason I figured it out was because I decided to widen the tracks "cuz why not."

Here's the video I took of the problem right before I inadvertently fixed it.

Camry Window Getting Stuck
Congrats on the fix! Twice a year I clean my window tracks and door seals and lube them with a thin layer of silicon grease. It really helps window speed and it also keeps my doors from sticking shut when we have freezing rain.
W95c