Manual window regulator roller question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fordguy40 · 05-18-2019, 10:04 PM

How free are these things supposed to be? They're not seized or flat spotted, but they definitely don't roll free, either. After some spray lithium grease, I can rotate them on their balls, but they still seem tight to me.

rickit · 05-19-2019, 04:23 PM

mine were kinda stiff so I had a guy install two new ones last year that came from lmc , the new ones were way worse then what I had, my friend ended up breaking the handle off trying to roll it up few months back needless to say that guy installed them thru the old regulators away, im looking for a good set but haven't had any luck yet

fordguy40 · 05-19-2019, 04:39 PM

My windows are also hard to roll up even with almost non-existent weatherstripping. Hoping it was just due to the dried up white grease and junk in the roller channels but the hard, old weatherstripping doesn't help I'm sure.

Thanks for the heads-up on the aftermarket regulators. Trying to keep the truck as OE as possible, even if it means using old and ugly, but better-made, parts.

Pontiac1976 · 05-20-2019, 02:28 PM

They should be smooth rolling snug. Try cleaning with parts wash to clean use com pressure air or can of com pressure air blow dry re lube. They should be lubed 1 a year at least looked at see if need re-lubed. This includes the tracks too.

Matt Man · 05-22-2019, 02:55 PM

On my 81 the drivers side regulator was completely frozen up when I got it so I bought a aftermarket from LMC it would work fine with fresh grease for about a week then it would get really stiff. When it got cold out I was afraid to roll the window up because I was in fear of breaking the handle. I went to the junkyard and found one out of a suburban works great hot or cold.

fordguy40 · 05-22-2019, 03:23 PM

They're definitely more free now, but I'm going to throw the whole regulator in the parts washer this weekend to see what a soak in some diesel can do.

**dagnabbitt** · 05-23-2019, 12:57 PM

I've found that they are virtually impossible to repair and/or rehabilitate. After I worked on mine it basically exploded inside the door. Of course, I might just be incompetent, I am sure others have had more luck with them than me.

I ended up getting one at the junkyard for nearly free, it's a good option because you can test it before you remove it.

05-18-2019, 10:04 PM	#1
fordguy40 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Montclair, CA Posts: 149	Manual window regulator roller question How free are these things supposed to be? They're not seized or flat spotted, but they definitely don't roll free, either. After some spray lithium grease, I can rotate them on their balls, but they still seem tight to me. __________________ A few Fords and a couple of Chevys

05-19-2019, 04:23 PM	#2
rickit Registered User Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: kentucky Posts: 161	Re: Manual window regulator roller question mine were kinda stiff so I had a guy install two new ones last year that came from lmc , the new ones were way worse then what I had, my friend ended up breaking the handle off trying to roll it up few months back needless to say that guy installed them thru the old regulators away, im looking for a good set but haven't had any luck yet

05-19-2019, 04:39 PM	#3
fordguy40 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Montclair, CA Posts: 149	Re: Manual window regulator roller question My windows are also hard to roll up even with almost non-existent weatherstripping. Hoping it was just due to the dried up white grease and junk in the roller channels but the hard, old weatherstripping doesn't help I'm sure. Thanks for the heads-up on the aftermarket regulators. Trying to keep the truck as OE as possible, even if it means using old and ugly, but better-made, parts. __________________ A few Fords and a couple of Chevys

05-20-2019, 02:28 PM	#4
Pontiac1976 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 750	Re: Manual window regulator roller question They should be smooth rolling snug. Try cleaning with parts wash to clean use com pressure air or can of com pressure air blow dry re lube. They should be lubed 1 a year at least looked at see if need re-lubed. This includes the tracks too. __________________ 1977 REG cab Long Bed with a 1984 Front Clip, 82 305 .60 over 9.0.1 flat top pistons, 4bbl, TH350, w/84 SS-intake & cam , w/ 1977 big block rad, 1975 gear box, 1984 master w/ metric fittings top & SAE fitting @ portion block, 1975 3.42 gear open diff. Duel 77-87 Factory air cleaner, duel inlet from rad support . Down sized 9' to new 8' Steel flat bed Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change.

05-22-2019, 02:55 PM	#5
Matt Man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buhl, Idaho Posts: 1,438	Re: Manual window regulator roller question On my 81 the drivers side regulator was completely frozen up when I got it so I bought a aftermarket from LMC it would work fine with fresh grease for about a week then it would get really stiff. When it got cold out I was afraid to roll the window up because I was in fear of breaking the handle. I went to the junkyard and found one out of a suburban works great hot or cold. __________________ 86 c30 crew cab dually 454/400 4/6 drop SOLD 1-8-11 1981 chevy K10 short Bed Scottsdale SOLD 10-26-2020 67 GMC Stepside Straight six/3 on the tree "The Peach" 2020 Silverado Double Cab LT Z71 5.3 8 speed Daily Driver K10 build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=671934 The Peach build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=733903

05-22-2019, 03:23 PM	#6
fordguy40 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Montclair, CA Posts: 149	Re: Manual window regulator roller question They're definitely more free now, but I'm going to throw the whole regulator in the parts washer this weekend to see what a soak in some diesel can do. __________________ A few Fords and a couple of Chevys

05-23-2019, 12:57 PM	#7
dagnabbitt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,294	Re: Manual window regulator roller question I've found that they are virtually impossible to repair and/or rehabilitate. After I worked on mine it basically exploded inside the door. Of course, I might just be incompetent, I am sure others have had more luck with them than me. I ended up getting one at the junkyard for nearly free, it's a good option because you can test it before you remove it. __________________ DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10

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