Electric Window -1976 Monte

by pjbanman Sun Aug 23, 2020 10:19 am

Hello,
We just bought a 1976 MC for my son and it is a fixer upper, the electric windows work but they are slow. Should I try o improve the performance of these windows? is it needed?....Should I grease up rollers? Would replacing the riveted-in electric motor help? The inside door panels are off at the moment and we need to take off the doors to replace the door pin bushings (sagging door) so I feel now is the best time to work on the electric window if it is needed?
I just don't have any experience on electric windows on the 73-77 A-Bodies??

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Sun Aug 23, 2020 11:25 am

Welcome Pjbanman! In my experience there are a few things that will cause slow window operation. The first obvious one you already pointed out which it lubrication. The very best way to improve lubrication is to clean out as much of the old grease on the rollers and the tracks they slide in with a solvent like wax & grease remover, isopropyl alcohol or any other mild solvent and get it as clean as you can. Then apply fresh grease to all the rollers and tracks. Also, I've had improvements with speed from taking out the motors, cleaning the gear mechanisms (pictured below) and applying fresh grease to those. Be sure to prop up the window glass with a 2x4 or the handle of a hammer to keep it from dropping on you. Another thing that causes slow window operation is the pre-load springs on the regulators themselves. They get tired over the years and lose some of their tension that assists the window back into the fully closed position. I have not been able to find replacement springs for these so the only option there is to find a low mileage parts vehicle and swap out the whole window regulator. And another reason would be the window motor itself. I've replaced several with new motors over the years and have experienced slightly better speed. But the other half I've done really didn't make any difference, so it's hit and miss. But if you still aren't happy with the performance after trying this methods you have an option to upgrade the entire regulator and motor assemblies with aftermarket bolt in units. They are a bit pricey though. I've attached a link below. Hope this helps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1977-Chevelle-Front-Doors-Power-Window-Kit-with-Nostalgic-Switches-Console/273201335787?fits=Year%3A1973%7CModel%3AChevelle&hash=item3f9c118deb:g:qNEAAOSwqNdeYB3A

by pjbanman Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:23 am

Thank you!!

by pjbanman Tue Sep 01, 2020 11:41 pm

Hello g3chevy or anyone else, what grease do you recommend for the guides/rollers?

Also, does anyone know where to get the TRIM SUPPORT RETAINER or how to refurb them? I believe this is what they are called and it is a felt like product mounted on an adjustable bracket that puts pressure / support on the window.

by Mcarlo77 Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:52 am

I've used white lithium grease.

As for the window support brackets...you are correct in that GM technically calls them Door Belt Trim Retainers and show a part number 9873923. I don't know if a fabric store would have some heavy duty felt-like material where you could recover your own. I'll also look in my boxes of parts and see if I might have any good ones.

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:15 am

The window felt kits are very hard to find for our vehicles. I bought a couple kits a few years back on Ebay. They no longer seem to be available. But you may be able to use a kit from the 68-72 Chevelles. I would ask the seller about the dimensions of the pads before ordering. Link is below. Another option that I've used in the past is velcro. Just use the fuzzy side and cut it to size. When installing just be sure to reuse the rubber insert that is glued to the original felt. The best glue I've found is 3M Black Super Weatherstrip Adhesive. As far as grease, I concur with Mcarlo77 about the lithium grease. I've also used general purpose grease with good results as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-72-A-body-Front-Inside-Door-Glass-Window-Fuzzie-Fabric-Guide-Rub-Material/163412708581?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item260c280ce5:g:H~MAAOSwkNNfKZU~&enc=AQAFAAACYBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkfOCvCjTOBWK8pwriaolq5kSldCwry14Obl3KVKa81FsZn0j7hssABq8YINeEjv7jhxf5Hc8wjoQUSjKm5sCrVAeH0jyXdFoIiFtz%2FUUwsskgBz%2BB3yA17Q3C01V4Ywe27psx2lYbjwDFN9WZEcXoMZRaAR3iJf2OsGL6XjMikPAP6zfFFCxgNrkzPn5jn5DUD6y%2BIT4PNoV3myOVGBWYqS6XGYrg%2Fn%2F2cuC7DOQ3Fwe1Dm6dPLXUnEjDVoH1Fkr6vEEwvu7lTBByZPW8NOKA5cVmXsCS6M98%2F2RX%2FVG0IwNcoVgTQTcSpfnn4h%2BSCDDukBafNnSJ1pRSBAEn%2BUJK%2FWdyQzneJccltQR%2FBjusSj8kNlgt%2B1hoD6ZCL9wrRpcREn7Zn23kEUQHNKCko5w6dVU67allzl0IyozmBiuuZrVVsrJiK%2F1DO6CPd3E1NzDj6aeG1now9N72PFgS8V5zXCzChN%2FMBSZunRobetGAWEWZ%2BXQng9pGWiZp2LUTn9JsoykjPN%2FZzcyjAHuZiH9TMV4SBoZ%2BSaIpdPHb9G2fA2b6HPSF1AU%2FG%2FfvLY8GFv%2BeRZ3rZHCYmfoh%2FVUe9CYSF7SzBOf%2B9Sa3ePJ47crHz9t956Y30YL65YFohvF2Czx32hXfIx4aTzTbx8zgC7hDdZkjO5hvzso8x1Hd0aCYR5saqAo4UlCZWdqfOwPj2s9QD4v6sF%2F0or3IHTiPYY%2BdCd44ugmk4TQIf953BtT8K5XhI2abrK31z18NaXGFO3ZK&checksum=163412708581095a8250b14c4fc8bb2808e730a24993

by pjbanman Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:39 pm

Thank you g3chevy and Mcarlo77 for your help, it is nice to hear from folks that have been there and done that, there is not much in-depth information out there on the 73-77 A-Body.

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