Owners of 4 Doors, Please Look

[jiho]

I know this won't be the most exciting topic, but c'mon, no denial, no reationalizations! Let's toughen up, here! 😀

I've encountered an issue with the rear door vent windows on both 4-doors at my disposal, and I'm finding it hard to believe it's an isolated coincidence.

Please have a look, up to now I've had zero responses:

https://gbodyforum.com/threads/passenger-rear-door-vent-window.57705/

(Seems there's as much of an issue with the topic as with the vent windows themselves .... 🙄)

 

[Longroof79]

Us wagon guys are in the same boat. I've had an encounter with a snapped vent window shaft.Of course, I was fortunate enough to find a replacement at the time, but these parts are getting harder to find...especially for a wagon.

I think if you're careful, you can MIG or TIG the shaft back onto the frame. I think you'd have to make a jig of some sort to keep the glass at the proper angle. If you notice, they are slightly bowed.

Does your car have manual or power vents?

 

[Blake442]

A very common problem that is simply not worth trying to repair. You really need to replace the assembly if you want it right.
The spring loaded pivot gets rusty with lack of use and lubrication, and then somebody uses it and it twists right off the base.
Any welding would require the removal of the glass from the channel, a task that is not easy to accomplish without damage...
Hit up Kevin (O.D. Showtime) and see if he can keep an eye out for 4-doors for you.
I got a nice wagon vent from him and the Canadian climate isn't as harsh on the rubber seals.
Once you get your hands on some good vents, give the pivot a healthy spray of lithium grease to ensure smooth operation.
Or just leave it the way it is...

 

[ssn696]

Inoperable like the 'roll-up' rear door window glass....

 

[jiho]

It's more than just rust. If you follow the link to my earlier thread and look at the pic, you'll see that the passenger side (the one that's broken) is tightened as far as it will go, while the driver side (the one that isn't broken) is as loose as it can be and still keep nut. And they clearly came from the factory that way. This has me wondering how many "good" ones there ever were to begin with, leave aside the vanishing cars. It was either pot luck getting correct tension on the spring, or it was all part of an elaborate conspiracy. 😱😀

 

[O. D. Showtime]

I do have access to an 81 Malibu 4 door at this time....haven't been in the wreckers for a few weeks but went last Saturday and saw this one. Interior looked pretty nice... by what's left. Dash, column, seats and carpet are all gone. Vent windows looked pretty nice along with the channel strips. I didn't operate the windows but honestly I've only seen a couple out of alot of 4 doors and wagons that the pivot was broken.

 

[pontiacgp]

Is it possible that other GM cars with vent windows would fit?.

 

[liquidh8]

I'd work with Kevin and replace it. I've had a few wagons and I have also came across the broken stud. Get a replacement vent window, clean up the rust and corrosion, then lube them up. You can back off the nuts on the springs till the window just has some tension on it an doesn't blow shut under speed.

 

[Longroof79]

I agree, get the parts from Kevin. He's never disappointed any of us...🙂
I've also cleaned, polished, and well lubed the vent shaft when installing the replacement window.
As Jim pointed out, you can adjust the spring tension to your liking when installing it.

 

[jiho]

Ahem .... if it needs to be loosened, it's probably already broken. 😛

I thought this one looked great .... in the yard. I couldn't believe it had any problems.

But it wasn't a total loss. The chrome frame is better than the one I have. The driver side vent seems all good. And I got good B-pillar trim, which I need very badly. And a few other odds and ends.

At least the car is getting better instead of worse. 😕

BTW, I take it there's no way to get new replacement rubber for these vents. Or come to think of it, any way to get rid of them entirely, like with full-door plastic windows.