Correct lube for window channel?

The window regulator failed on my 93 Nissan Sentra, probably because I
cleaned the driver's window channel (2-dr) so well that the glass bound
up and the cable failed.

I think I can install a new regulator, but what do I lube the channel
with to prevent another problem? The passenger window is almost never
used, but probably needs help too.

I'm posting this to several NGs because a.a.nissan is a really slow
group these days.

Thanks,
Jm

 

If you are talking about the channel in the window frame, I'd use a silicone
lubricant because the silicone doesn't cause the rubber to deteriorate more
quickly.

The channel in the door itself could be lubricated with lithium grease if it
is not lined with rubber.

 

Thanks, Ray

 

Been there with my old Honda - it was an expensive lesson.
Spray silicone works well. It tends to flush some of the gunk from the
channel, while making the rubber much more 'slidey.'

 

Thanks, Greg. Sorry you had a similar experience. I thought cleaning
that channel was such a great thing; turns out, I was removing any
lubricant it had! : (

 

You're welcome. By the way, the silicone lubricant does not last very long,
so you may have to re-apply once or twice a year. If you want something
that lasts longer but is pretty messy, you can use soap-based brake caliper
grease.

 

The channel that the glass slides in is not lubricated. The various channels
of the regulator itself are lubricated, but not the chanel for the glass.
This needs to be clean,

My guess is that your 1993 Sentra window regulator simply wore out.

A typical construction is that there is a stirng of balls that is pushed and
pulled through a guide and is connected to the window. As the motor pushes
and pulls the balls, the window goes up and down. The string of balls will
break over time. There are variants that involve scissor mechanism to raise
and lower the window, but these are generally found in older cars.

In any case, the glass should slide freely in a clean track.

 

I'd bet that the OP's car's setup doesn't have the string of balls setup.
The more common setup is having the motor mounted directly to the regulator
instead of having a weak link in between, or a cable that pushes and pulls
on the regulator like the old fashioned remote mirrors.

 

I had a 93 Nissan Maxima for 5 or 6 years and in that time I replaced
3 window regulators. The regulator uses an electric motor which drives
a wire rope pulley system which runs the window up and down. The
regulators failed because the plastic pulleys, which the wire rope
runs on, hardened over time and broke off. There's a good chance your
same year Sentra has a similar problem but I don't know for sure.
I used to order replacement regulators online at
http://www.courtesyparts.com/
good prices, fast service.

Al Moodie.

 

No motor in this one; it's manual. Replacement parts online show a
cable.

But no lubrication? That's interesting. Thanks for your help, Jeff.

 

Thank you, Al. Mine's manual, but yeah, something inside gave way and
the cable is loose. I thought it was the cable itself, but since you
mention it, it could be a failed pulley.

A failed *plastic* pulley at that (grrrr)

 

DemoDisk wrote the following:

Whenever I detail my truck, I wipe all the rubber window parts with the
tire wet spray on a cloth.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

 

The mechanic at the independent shop I use recommended occasionally
squirting a little bit of Armor All into the top of each side of the
window channel and letting it run down inside. He mentioned it after I
had just had the regulator replaced on my driver's side window.

Dave

 

Armor All is garbage. Snake oil that rots your tires and anything else
to which it's applied.

Looks pretty for a while, but have a look at your "brown" tires after a
few days. There's a reason for that.

 

Armor All is heroin for rubber. You have to keep using it or the rubber
dies. And you have to use increasing amounts over time. Cold turkey is bad,
but having said that I have no idea what the methadone treatment is.

 

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/303aerprot.html

Just one supplier. The stuff has no petroleum distillates, and has an
SPF factor of 15.

No dashboard cracking or brown tires. I've been using it for years.