Expert: Ben Menard - 4/12/2010

Question
Hi Ben,

One night we had freezing rain.  Next morning, the whole vehicle was covered in ice.  Well when I finally was able to get in the vehicle, I stupidly tried to roll down the window a little.  Messed it up.  So with help, we were able to pull up on it, and then at least get it all the way back up.  So after a few times of forgetting that we weren't using it, it fell down in the door.  

This is a 2000 Ford Expedition 2 wheel drive, Eddie Bauer.  So...my husband took it to the Ford place.  They got the window up, and said they would have to order some special glue, etc etc.  Anyhow, we took it back.  They put a regulator on it, and put the window back on track.  Okay, not sure why we needed a regulator, but at that time, I didn't know what one was.  So long story short, it's not fixed.  I have taken it back 3 times.  One time we waited 2 weeks to roll it down, trying to give the glue time to dry.  

This last time, since it was so warm up, we tried about a week after they got it back up.  It will go down, but as you are trying to roll it up, it starts tilting forward.

What is wrong with this window?  Why can't a Ford dealership fix it?  Please help!  I'm really considering doing it myself.

Answer
Hi Leann,

I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble.  Let me give you some background information first.  Then I will tell you what might be wrong and what I think you should do.

The glass in your door has two metal "brackets" glued to the bottom edge of the glass.

The mechanism that moves your window up and down is called a window "regulator."

The glass slides up and down in a rubber gasket called a "run channel."

The glass is connected to the regulator with two rivets that pass through holes in the brackets and the regulator "lift channel."  These holes align perfectly when the glass is placed on the regulator.

The icy day you attempted to roll the window down, the glass was frozen to door so the regulator pulled the brackets off the bottom of the glass.  It is possible that the regulator was damaged at the same time, but typically, that is not the case.

A couple things come to mind to that might explain why your glass is tilting forward.  
ONE:   The front edge of the glass is not in the glass run channel.
TWO:   The brackets were glued to the glass in the wrong positions: too far to the front or back of the glass.
THREE: The front regulator arm is bent. (may have been caused by TWO)

There is no way for me to know exactly what is wrong.  There may even be something else that has been done incorrectly that is causing the problem.  However, any experienced mechanic should be able to figure this out in ten minutes or less.

This is not a "do it yourself" project.  You don't have the tools or knowledge even if you have the mechanical skill and inclination.

I would contact the "Zone Office" (regional manager) for Ford and explain your situation.  Let's see if they are willing to step in and make this situation right.

Ben ... the power window guy