window regulator clips broken

[wadedog]

Ok I know this is common and I read a dozen posts talking about it but how do I replace the white plastic regulator clips ( not sash)
without replacing the whole regulator.
I found a pair for 20 bucks on ebay from a guy in Turkey , or I could try and find some from a junk yard,or can the back window clips be swapped to the front ? I have a four door.

Can someone explain step by step how to do this and pics are a big help.
thanks.

[comanche]

The regulator drive cable has a "nugget" on it that fits in a groove on the white plastic clip. Remove the regulator from the vehicle (do you need instructions for that?) then use your fingers to remove the cable from the plastic clip.

Carefully twist the plastic clip off of the metal guide rail.

Installation is the reverse of removal.

[zzyzzx]

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20956

[wadedog]

Thanks for the reply's and the link to the other site helped alot.

I guess I should order the clips from the ebay guy from Turkey for 20 bucks, not sure I want to waste time on used junkyard parts waiting to break.

I would really like to just be able to clip them on without removing the whole regulator assembly and then have alignment issues.

Anyone done this, got any tips?
Or should I remove the whole deal.

[zzyzzx]

Check out this thread as well:
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95004

Never seen it before, but it looks very interesting and has lots of pics. that and it mentions the Dorman part number for the fix, which should be even cheaper than buying something from Turkey and possibly locally available.

Its part number #38480 by Dorman

[zzyzzx]

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Door-Glass-Attaching-Clips?itemIdentifier=722725

At Autozone for $9

[wadedog]

Great link, I like that fix.
I am not sure if AZ sells both clips I need for the right door or just the one regulator clip for the left door.

Does anyone know how to replace just the regulator clip without removing the whole regulator assembly?
Do the clips easily snap onto the wire around the "knub" on the wire?
Thanks for the great help with those links.

[bushmanalero]

I bought some replacement clips from Rock Auto for five bucks for both my front doors as a back up in case mine break again. And they came USPS in about 4 days if this helps any

[wadedog]

Is this the clips I need and I just buy two of them?


http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Dorman-Window-Guide/_/N-8ijsm?itemIdentifier=963495&_requestid=729777

Hey Bush are these the clips you bought, I'm confused about the front right and rear left, one for separate doors?

DORMAN Part # 45349 More Information About this Part Pack Of 2
[Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] Front Right
[Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] Rear Left

Part Image
$25.79
Add to Cart

[bushmanalero]

Yes Wadedog those look correct but im unsure about how many u need because i have a coupe but u need two for each door

[wadedog]

Well went to buy them and found out those in the link are for the drivers front not the passenger front that I need, they can't even order them, they show a number for them and are 35 dollars.

Is it very easy to replace just the clips or should I just buy a universal regulator and motor assemble for 150.00 and be done.
Hate to replace things that are not bad just for a couple clips.
those clips from Turkey are looking better all the time unless it's a pain to replace.

[bushmanalero]

hey wade here is the rockauto link
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
just look for your model car and go to body interior then look up wat u need. the window glass clips are about 7 bucks for four of them and the window guides are about 23 bucks

[wadedog]

thanks for the link bushman, does anyone know if it is an easy job to just replace the clips ?

Any tips on how to do it?

[wadedog]

anyone I need to do this soon.

[Redog]

I just bought a set of 8 clips on eBay from an American seller for $21 shipped, just to have on hand

Is there even any Aleros in Turkey?

[zzyzzx]

I just bought a set of 8 clips on eBay from an American seller for $21 shipped, just to have on hand

Is there even any Aleros in Turkey?


Can you post the seller's ID or link to store if applicable.

Is this something I should keep handy? Mine is a 1999, but I don't use the car much (30K on the odometer).

I was also wondering why Turkey.

[wadedog]

I sure would like to know the source too redog.
post a link or something.

Still would like to know if it's a hard thing to replace just the clips.

[wadedog]

Well I bought two from o'rileys for 23 bucks but well worth it, wasn't too hard to replace once i figured out how it goes together. beats buying the whole regulator.

[Papa Rad17]

^the autozone ones are fine. just a bolt for the two clips and a heat gun if they are epoxied on to the window. vary easy repair. if not I hear the ziptie deal works great to.

[Oldsnut]

I love the zip tie remedy. Kudos to the guy on GAGT for thinking of that.

[wadedog]

I agree I love the zip tie idea, my problem was the regulator clips broke off not the glass clips.

[CenterF]

The regulator drive cable has a "nugget" on it that fits in a groove on the white plastic clip. Remove the regulator from the vehicle (do you need instructions for that?) then use your fingers to remove the cable from the plastic clip.

Carefully twist the plastic clip off of the metal guide rail.

Installation is the reverse of removal.

Is there a tool to get the "nugget" into the groove on the white plastic clip? I can't do it by hand.

[CenterF]

Is there a tool to get the "nugget" into the groove on the white plastic clip? I can't do it by hand.

Well I put a little 3 in 1 household oil in the groove where the nugget snaps into, and with a little elbow grease was finally able to remove the broken clips. The new clips were $20 and it took some work snapping on the new clips. But I was able to fix my window without taking off the old regulator and motor. It was quite an effort and like a puzzle with the regulator still attached, but it was doable. But it may have been easier taking off the regulator and motor and replacing the broken clips with the regulator off the car.

[zzyzzx]

I agree I love the zip tie idea, my problem was the regulator clips broke off not the glass clips.

That's why I did buy the replacement clips for the driver's side window and just keep them in my spare parts bin.

[zzyzzx]

I just bought a set of 8 clips on eBay from an American seller for $21 shipped, just to have on hand

Yeah, these things are like $6 shipped off eBay and at least $20 locally. also have them on hand, but will buy more replacements once these are installed. On line it's the clips on the front drivers side door that are part of the window regulator. 1999 Alero with 58K miles, if that helps.

https://www.amazon.com/images/I/81mpF4LawML._AC_SL1500_.jpg

[zzyzzx]

It didn't work. The window regulator cable came off it's tracks and I can't get it back in. Even if I could, one of the plastic wheels that holds the cable in place is damaged and it will slip right off again. Time to order a new window regulator.

[zzyzzx]

Got the new regulator in and it's all good now.
One thing I am wondering is if I should go ahead and get spare clips for the passenger side, since the front passenger regulator is the only one in the car that's still the original.

[Oldsnut]

Having spares of any parts is a good thing