Un Friggin Believable!

So about a week after I bought this so I thought Pampered, clean, one owner. The drivers side rear widow regulator went out. Then today, haha, By the way Haven't even received the title yet from the DMV, because we haven't had it very long mind you.....

The rear passenger window decided to give up as well!?! and I just ordered the Left Rear reg. last night!!

Hope it doesn't turn into another money pit.

Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful automobile.

What is the average life span of the regulators 16-17yrs? just asking since they both failed so close in age?

Thanks for looking.

 

Unbelievably common failure on these W210s. I'm gonna do one this weekend actually. So common that you can find replacement regulators for a decent price on Amazon with free shipping if you have Amazon Prime.

 

So are the replacement regulators the exact same design or have they improved the design to avoid the weak link?

I think the hardest part of this repair will be removing the exterior door panel.

Gotta find the tutorial video on U-Tube,

 

This is the one I purchased: SO far it's gotten good reviews. Not sure if it's "better" but the description does say Dorman's Window Regulators have been re-engineered to improve on the original design.
Will let you know after the weekend, when I replace it. Note that you WILL need to drill out rivets and have a rivet tool to replace them when the new regulator is installed.

As for the door card, it's not that bad - you might want to have extra retainer door panel retainer clips handy though.
Too bad you're not near Schenectady - we could make it a W210 window regulator replacement gathering.

 

it is not imperative that you replace the rivets with rivets. it may slow you down
a bit, but it is very simple to replace with bolt and screw. i've even used softer,
aluminum rivets and they have never fractured. the primary cause of failure has
been a plastic part which holds the ends of the braided cable to the regulator arms.
the part can be picked up for about $10 if the cable is otherwise intact and
reusable.

check out the 'cheat sheet' for other regulator tips/links

 

Too bad you're not near Schenectady - we could make it a W210 window regulator replacement gathering.[/QUOTE]

I chuckled a little on that comment. Would love to help!

My drivers side regulator arrived today, but our local Ramada Inn called this evening with a crap load of issues that there maintenance engineers need assistance on. So the almighty dollar takes prescience once again. gotta get it while ya can!setting my sights for Sunday.

Replacing the fuel sending unit too! seems to have a mind of it's own?

 

Did the driver's side rear one last night after UPS showed up with the regulator from Amazon. Can't say that the new one made by Dorman is any better since it looks nearly identical, but I'm no engineer. Hardest part for me is drilling out the rivets...finally took a chisel to the last one. Oh and the previous owner for whatever reason decided to not put back the door membrane the last time it was apart...gotta get some heavy plastic to make a new one.

Have fun!

 

I went through 2 driver side rears and 7 passenger side rears within 3 years of owning my car (I bought it new in 1998). They improved the design of the regulators with the facelift and I haven't lost one since. (Knock on wood)

 

Well good news! replaced the drivers side regulator with ease, the passenger side removed and carefully rewound the cable new grease slides smooth for now.

Thanks for the help and apl175 for the video on the door panel removal