DIY: Window Channel Replacement
Pretty easy install, but figured I'd do a little write up while I was replacing the driver side channel.
Tools Needed:
10 mm socket
long(ish) phillips head screwdriver
magnetic picker (possibly)
smaller flat head screwdriver
small allen wrench, no real specific size is needed
First, use the allen to put in the little hole behind the door handle to pop out the silver cover.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1100.jpg
Sans door handle cover
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1101.jpg
Use a smaller flat head screwdriver to stick in this small slot to pry off the lower door handle cover. The plastic is pretty soft, so be careful if you're really OCD.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1102.jpg
Sans Cover
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1103.jpg
Pretty straightforward, just back out the visible screws to pop the handle off. There are 3 screws that are recessed pretty far in there, so if you can't pull everything apart you probably missed those.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1103.jpg
Handle off
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1104.jpg
Pull out the switch panel and detach the wiring from the back. There is a little grey tab to push in so it releases.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1105.jpg
Free door panel
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1106.jpg
Sort of tricky, but now the panel is just being held on by those stubborn plastic clips. I just grabbed up by the tweeter and slowly worked my hand behind the panel and gave it a good yank. Don't go apeshit on it because you'll break some clips, but the panel should pop off pretty easily.
Once the panel is free (from the clips anyway) it will be hanging by the release cable and the power lock switch wiring.
Picture of the lock switch.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1107.jpg
This is the door release. To take this off, slip the white piece from the collar on the door panel then twist the end of the release out of the grey collar and it will pop out. It's confusing to put into words, so I might make a little illustration if my directions weren't clear.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1108.jpg
Naked door
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1109.jpg
Now pull down the white plastic, but be aware of the sticky gook stuff. It might be the stickiest shit on the entire planet.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1110.jpg
Now clip the window switch back up so you can put the window down a little bit.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1111.jpg
If you notice the two holes in the middle of the door panel; this is where the two bolts holding the window on the regulator will be removed from. Lower the window down about half way, and you will see the two 10mm bolts.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1112.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1113.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1114.jpg
Now removed the two 10mm bolts, but be careful so that you don't accidentally drop the window while doing this. I couldn't take any pics of this part since I was working by my lonesome.
Once the window is sitting freely, just grab it and pull it out from the top.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1115.jpg
I always drop a bolt in the door, so a magnetic picker comes in handy.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1116.jpg
windowless!
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1117.jpg
Now you can reach into the bottom of the channel and just rip the pos rubber piece out of there.
Look how trashed mine was.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1118.jpg
Here is what the channel looks like while installing.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1120.jpg
Installing is very straightforward, you just pinch it a little and jam it into the channel.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e8...e/IMG_1121.jpg
Make sure you don't pull forward on the channel in the direction you are installing. The rubber is very stretchy and you will find it not lining up correctly once you get to the opposite corner if you pull on it.
Say you started with the back edge of the window, while working your way to the front, push back on the rubber when you are putting it into the channel.
Again, it's harder to describe this than show someone.
After this just install everything in reverse. There's really no trick to getting it all back together, just take your time.
The install is rather easy, just thought this might help someone because of how many EP's have a problem with the channel.