Hi,

I’m having trouble with my drivers’ side window on my 1987 no-vent window Toyota.

PROBLEM ONE:
I noticed yesterday that the glass wont roll all the way up to the top. It feels as though something is stripped inside the regulator mechanism – the window handle works fine until the glass gets close to the door frame. The window handle slips when you get the glass within half an inch of the top, and the glass wont go all the way up into the rubber – leaving me with a half an inch gap between the door frame and the glass when the window is ‘completely up’. This is especially troubling since we get four meters of rain here annually! I thought the handle was old, so I replaced it, but the problem persists.

The regulator was replaced a couple of years ago (not by me – and it looked tricky!) it seems to function fine – nice and smooth etc.

My last option would be replacing the regulator. But, if it’s a part of the regulator that’s broken, (bearings / gears) I’d much prefer to replace that than the whole thing. I’m hoping someone with window experience will read this and can assist me.

PROBLEM TWO
I replaced the odd-shaped metal part in the door that bolts on by the lock that the window rubber slides into (the old one had rusted off and the glass was banging around inside the door). But now, when I roll the window down, it takes the rubber with it and I have to manually pull the rubber back out of the door. Any suggestions on this? I waa thinking of wedging some kind of stopper into the guide piece to stop the rubber from moving, or bending the guide piece to force the rubber to stop when the glass is all the way down.

WHILE WERE AT IT
I just had my windscreen and moulding re-done for the second time to stop a nasty water leak from the top window seal. Now, I get water coming into the truck from the kick panels on both sides. I’m told that this is probably from the rusted out area beneath the cowl. I’m tarping my beauty right now, but I’d prefer not to worry about it leaking.
I’ve heard that this problem is common with the older Toyotas, and that the drain pan needs to be replaced / welded. Does anyone have experience and information to share regarding this? My kick panel relays and fuses are getting wet every time it rains – not to mention the floor!

Many, many thanks in advance,
Tom Logan
Wailea, HI