Rebuild a '95 power window gearbox?

[Malleus]

Has anyone ever tried, and if so, with what results, to rebuild the gearbox connected to the window regulator motor? I have three of four windows which absolutely crawl when it's below body temperature outside. I don't want to swap them unless I have to.

My guess is the grease in the gearbox is nearly solid at anything resembling a low temperature.

 

[retrofive]

Have you tried any of the other fixes? Rubber seals and track re-lube?

 

[Malleus]

Yep. Replaced all the seals last fall when I had the truck repainted. Lubed up the track while it was open. It's the gearbox.

 

[Tedward]

I may have one cracked open in a tool box somewhere. If you want I can dig it up and take pictures or use it as a test subject.....

 

[baldilocks]

@Malleus Have you replaced the window runs? This channel becomes worn and the window gets cocked in the channel. Mine get slow when it's rainy.

Replacing window run's has helped many with slow power windows. I will get around to it later this year.

 

[bloc]

the brushes in the motor wear pretty far and build a varnish of some kind on the commutator bar. I took everything apart and scrubbed them off with a green cleaning pad. That along with relocating some of the existing grease on the gears to parts where it'd actually help.. HUGE difference.

One note.. when you pull the motor can off, use a screwdriver to jam the output gear on the gearbox. Otherwise the armature comes out with the motor can and the brushes snap off the end of the commutator bar.. not good. Once the can is off you can release the brush springs and unscrew the armature (worm gear on the end inside the gearbox)

Same thing when you reinstall.. screw the armature in, set the brushes and springs, then jam the gear again so the magnets inside the motor can don't pull the armature out when reinstalling the motor can.

 

[baldilocks]

the brushes in the motor wear pretty far and build a varnish of some kind on the commutator bar. I took everything apart and scrubbed them off with a green cleaning pad. That along with relocating some of the existing grease on the gears to parts where it'd actually help.. HUGE difference.

One note.. when you pull the motor can off, use a screwdriver to jam the output gear on the gearbox. Otherwise the armature comes out with the motor can and the brushes snap off the end of the commutator bar.. not good. Once the can is off you can release the brush springs and unscrew the armature (worm gear on the end inside the gearbox)

Same thing when you reinstall.. screw the armature in, set the brushes and springs, then jam the gear again so the magnets inside the motor can don't pull the armature out when reinstalling the motor can.

How worn were your brushes? Are new ones obtainable?

 

[Malleus]

@Malleus Have you replaced the window runs? This channel becomes worn and the window gets cocked in the channel. Mine get slow when it's rainy.

Replacing window run's has helped many with slow power windows. I will get around to it later this year.

No, they're good. The glass moves vertically, when it moves. The motors function well, when it's warm outside, which is counter to what I would expect if the brushes were worn.

The windows move really well when it's warm outside. When it's cold, they slow down to the point where I have to grab them and help them up to prevent frostbite. That's why I'm motivated to replace the OEM grease in the gearboxes.

 

[Malleus]

the brushes in the motor wear pretty far and build a varnish of some kind on the commutator bar. I took everything apart and scrubbed them off with a green cleaning pad. That along with relocating some of the existing grease on the gears to parts where it'd actually help.. HUGE difference.

One note.. when you pull the motor can off, use a screwdriver to jam the output gear on the gearbox. Otherwise the armature comes out with the motor can and the brushes snap off the end of the commutator bar.. not good. Once the can is off you can release the brush springs and unscrew the armature (worm gear on the end inside the gearbox)

Same thing when you reinstall.. screw the armature in, set the brushes and springs, then jam the gear again so the magnets inside the motor can don't pull the armature out when reinstalling the motor can.

@bloc I know what you mean; I recently spent (wasted) an hour with the power antenna for that reason.

If you've had luck regreasing the gearbox, I'm more comfortable spending the time to remove them and having a go at them. I'll put a new green scrubby aside for the job

I'll post a couple of photos after the fact. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Malleus]

How worn were your brushes? Are new ones obtainable?

@baldilocks I was planning to use some generic brushes I always seem to have in the junk box, if necessary. Although I'm fairly passionate about OEM parts, I don't seem to get too excited about electric motors for some reason.

 

[bloc]

How worn were your brushes? Are new ones obtainable?

I am on mobile and don't have the time to do any digging but I seem to remember seeing a post where someone was trying to track them down and not having luck. It has been a year since I had mine apart but I think they aren't perpendicular to the commutator bar.. which complicates finding replacements.

 

[Kernal]

Current (Amp) draw comparing new versus old window lift motors