Window Clips!

[Amish]

Problem:
So... After owning my VX for a week and not having a working driver's window, I decided that I needed to figure out the issue. Tore it apart on Sunday to see exactly what was going on and figured out that the plastic window clips are a very poor design and weren't grabbing the window. The regulator still went up and down but the glass would stay stuck up sicne the plastic clips couldn't hold on. Looked liek someone had tried using epoxy and silicone at some point in hopes that it would hold.. (It didn't).

I'd really like to see what everyone else has done to fix this issue!!!!!

Solution:
I've built all kinds of crazy cars so the fix was a very easy one and cost me nothing. I had the whole job done in about 15 minutes. = NO more issue EVER. HA!

I'll try to write out a DIY asap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/BadCabby/1VX.jpg

[Vendetta]

This is a very common issue that has or eventually will befall virtually every VX.

As for your 15-minute, zero-cost fix? I wish you'd have posted it a month ago before I laid out 65 smackers for my SBC brackets. :razzgray:

Bring on the write up though! (I haven't installed my SBCs yet!)
-V

[vt_maverick]

What a tease... :rolleyes:

I'm with V, I have a set of SBC brackets being installed tomorrow, so get your *** in gear on that write-up lol. ;)

[Amish]

This is a very common issue that has or eventually will befall virtually every VX.

As for your 15-minute, zero-cost fix? I wish you'd have posted it a month ago before I laid out 65 smackers for my SBC brackets. :razzgray:

Bring on the write up though! (I haven't installed my SBCs yet!)
-V

Will do. :bwgy: Hopefully I wont step on anyone's toes by offering a free solution to the fix.

[Amish]

What a tease... :rolleyes:

I'm with V, I have a set of SBC brackets being installed tomorrow, so get your *** in gear on that write-up lol. ;)

Just as an FYI, If you are having brackets installed for you, my solution may not work for you. This is a hands on project. Just saying.

[Amish]

Anyone have pics of the "SBC Brackets"?

[Mile High VX]

Anyone have pics of the "SBC Brackets"?

http://www.streetboutiquecustoms.com/vx.html

[Vendetta]

Will do. :bwgy: Hopefully I wont step on anyone's toes by offering a free solution to the fix.

I'm confident that the R&D and operations costs for the production of the SBCs has already been covered by customers to date. So the risk of stepping on toes is more of a bruise than a break. Besides, there will always be the "why do it for free when I can spend $65 on it" crowd - of which I've been an on-again, off-again member through the years. :uhohgray:

I say go for it. In the end, if your fix is legit and long-term, you'll be helping a LOT more people that you'll "hurt." But it is VERY thoughtful of you to even recognize the potential downside for someone else.

-V

[Amish]

http://www.streetboutiquecustoms.com/vx.html

:nogray:

Oh no! Hahahaha. That's what someone put in as a "fix" on my passenger side. That's coming out next weekend and going in the trash. I just thought it was some "homebrew" bracket. While I will say that it did/does hold the window, I like the idea of keeping it simple, not adding weight to an overworked motor, and the ability to remove the bracket like stock. Hopefully I don't make an enemy with this post. It's just an opinion.

[Vendetta]

Waitwhat?

Someone SBC'd the passenger side but not the driver side? Or did you just not open the driver side yet? 'Cause the brackets come in pairs. Don't toss them. Sell them to someone who doesn't trust your free fix. :smilewink

-V

[vt_maverick]

Just as an FYI, If you are having brackets installed for you, my solution may not work for you. This is a hands on project. Just saying.

Fortunately my mechanic has hands too. :p $65 isn't too big a deal for a back-up option to keep on the shelf if your fix is worth trying.

[Amish]

I used "New Beetle" window clips. There are a few versions but VW used them on MK4 GTI/Golf/Jetta and Beetles. I chose the old steel versions. I had a bag of them. Here's a pic of what you start with.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/BadCabby/1VX1.jpg

These are a clam shell style clip with a rubber insert that hooks on both parts to protect the window. This clip tightens as you bolt it together.

The reason these can be had free is the plastic part is what hooks these to the VW cable for the regulator. The plastic breaks, the dealer puts in new clips. I just cut off the whole plastic part. (See original pic installed.) I did a bit of trimming (does'nt have to be perfect but it's pretty hard to mess up). I removed the plastic clip and screw.. threw them in the trash. I then fit the clip to the VX (with the VX crossbar inside the 2pc clip. Then bolt the clip back together (which tightens the rubber insert onto the glass.

Like I said, Done in less than 15 minutes. Start to finish. The SBC bracket on my passenger side will take twice as long to remove as it doesn't actually grab the window at all. Instead, it's channel is lined with epoxy which I will have to clean off the glass (I decided to put this off for another day)

[Amish]

Waitwhat?

Someone SBC'd the passenger side but not the driver side? Or did you just not open the driver side yet? 'Cause the brackets come in pairs. Don't toss them. Sell them to someone who doesn't trust your free fix. :smilewink

-V

V- yes, they did the pass side only and it's a mess.It's def. a SBC bracket though. I already did my fix to the drivers side and it worked great.

[Amish]

This fix may not be for everyone. Just thought I'd throw it out there for you guys. I use to be big into the VW scene so I have access to a ton of parts. Most techs keep the old clips in a drawer in their box. Also, they are an easy find at a junk yard (at least here). I could always offer to source mod them for people for cheap if this is something anyone is interested. Not looking to make a bunch of money, as it literally takes maybe a minute to mod the clip.

[Vendetta]

So it's free, plus the cost of a VW Beetle still under warranty? :laughgray

But you might be on to something if you could source the clips for members here.

-V

[Amish]

So it's free, plus the cost of a VW Beetle still under warranty? :laughgray

But you might be on to something if you could source the clips for members here.

-V

LOL! Well, they are free to me. 5 of my very close friends all still work at the dealer. We have a few local yards that they could be sourced from. Again, the clips aren't worth anything since they are always broken so they are easy to get.

[VX KAT]

There's a ton of threads and a few different options for fixing this very common window problem. We'll have to add yours to the list!

Most (but not all) have found the SBC brackets fix the problems.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=14739&highlight=window+binding

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showpost.php?p=164965&postcount=8


BUNGEE CORD FIX:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showpost.php?p=226963&postcount=9



THIS SHOWS THE WIDENING OF THE FRONT TRACK:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0824.jpg





THIS IS MY SBC BRACKETS BEING INSTALLED BY SBC HIMSELF (TIM PARKER)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0802.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0811.jpg





http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0817.jpg


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0818.jpg





http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0823.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0822.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0819.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/DSCN0815.jpg

[tom4bren]

Amish,

I like the KISS principal & your fix has that written all over it.

But ....

Your fix only fixes one small part of a multitude of problems with our windows. I'm not 'poo-pooing' your fix, just warning you that you may see other problems in the future. Your fix took care of your immediate problem but be aware that it won't cure the ultimate bane of VX ownership: tilting windows. That is caused by the regulator not gripping the center support arm properly which allows the regulator to tip forward as the window is being raised. Lubricating the front window track weather strip helps this but does not cure the problem. Widening the front track also helps without fixing the problem. Adjusting the regulator forward on the glass helps without fixing the problem.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to fix that problem.

[Amish]

Amish,

I like the KISS principal & your fix has that written all over it.

But ....

Your fix only fixes one small part of a multitude of problems with our windows. I'm not 'poo-pooing' your fix, just warning you that you may see other problems in the future. Your fix took care of your immediate problem but be aware that it won't cure the ultimate bane of VX ownership: tilting windows. That is caused by the regulator not gripping the center support arm properly which allows the regulator to tip forward as the window is being raised. Lubricating the front window track weather strip helps this but does not cure the problem. Widening the front track also helps without fixing the problem. Adjusting the regulator forward on the glass helps without fixing the problem.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to fix that problem.

Got it. I'll work up a fix for that then. :bwgy:

[VXorado]

Amish,

I like the KISS principal & your fix has that written all over it.

But ....

Your fix only fixes one small part of a multitude of problems with our windows. I'm not 'poo-pooing' your fix, just warning you that you may see other problems in the future. Your fix took care of your immediate problem but be aware that it won't cure the ultimate bane of VX ownership: tilting windows. That is caused by the regulator not gripping the center support arm properly which allows the regulator to tip forward as the window is being raised. Lubricating the front window track weather strip helps this but does not cure the problem. Widening the front track also helps without fixing the problem. Adjusting the regulator forward on the glass helps without fixing the problem.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to fix that problem.

This was my issue as well. My OEM tabs were fine but my window would bind in the front track and cause the "tilt" you described. I moved the lower section of the front track forward. No binding or issues since.

The driver side front track bolts into the door frame and the passenger side does not. I was able to drill new bolt holes for the driver side to mount the track forward but couldn't do much to the passenger side because the track has a welded bracket. This worked for me because my driver side window was the issue but it's likely both windows will eventually fail.

Seems like we have a combination of issues that together cause total window failure. At the junkyard, all the Rodeo/Vehicross window regulator clips I've seen are broken. Obviously a weak part and I like the idea of replacing the clips with a VW part to eliminate one part of the problem.

[Bulldoggie]

Amish,
I think your application of the metal tabs from a VW, is a good solution for the broken plastic tabs.
I like that they clamp on and can be re-positioned on the glass.
I also like that they allow for some flex or change in the angle of the glass to the angle of the lifting arm.
Something the plastic can do but the SBC metal brackets cannot.
As noted in the links, this is only one of the problems with the power windows.
I still use the plastic tabs and my windows still work great,
after the careful adjustments to the regulator track, that I have written about.

[vt_maverick]

Sad to think VW makes something more reliable than a Japanese manufacturer...

[Vendetta]

Sad to think VW makes something more reliable than a Japanese manufacturer...

Besides commercials you mean.

[Amish]

Sad to think VW makes something more reliable than a Japanese manufacturer...

Technically this is incorrect! Remember, These are pretty easy to come by as the clips I used were "broken" at least for the VW application. It was a bad design by VW. Pretty much everytime they went to a plastic part over the years to save on production costs, it bites them in the ***. They replaced this design with a full aluminum version. They also made plastic impelars for the water pumps on the mk4's which of course all failed and was corrected by switching to a metal version. On the mk5's they used a bunch on plastic internal parts on the AC system which grenade as well. When will they learn. Haha

[vt_maverick]

The service manager at the local Infiniti dealership told me he previously worked for the VW/Audi dealership up the street. When I asked him why he left, he said he showed up for work one day and there were 10-15 Beetles and Jettas waiting in line for window clip fixes, most of them on their second or third warranty replacement. He said at that time VW refused to update the design and was content to keep charging out-of-warranty customers for the same defective fix again and again.

[Ldub]

The service manager at the local Infiniti dealership told me he previously worked for the VW/Audi dealership up the street. When I asked him why he left, he said he showed up for work one day and there were 10-15 Beetles and Jettas waiting in line for window clip fixes, most of them on their second or third warranty replacement. He said at that time VW refused to update the design and was content to keep charging out-of-warranty customers for the same defective fix again and again.

LOLO serendipitous freak'n L...:laughing:

As I was reading your reply, my right ear was receiving "the power of German engineering" from a VW mersh on the TV...:laughing: