So apparently people still try to steal old Maximas. Didnt expect it in this neighborhood, but it seems anything is possible. The driver’s window was broken, and I guess they lifted the lock only to hear the alarm go nuts and lock out the starter, finally makes itself useful.

I found a used window for $40. I’m getting off work early to install it this afternoon, I need it in ASAP because I am flying out of town for the weekend and the car will be at the airport.

If you’ve done this install before, please let me know how long it should take. I’ve taken the door panel off before so that shouldn’t slow me down, but I’m just curious about any tricks or trip-ups with window replacement that I should be aware of, and really need to budget my time today.

Hopefully this was an isolated incident. If it happens again, I'll probably take a night to hide out with my 1/2" drive breaker bar. It if can take out a VTC bolt, it can mess up someone's night.

 

Window regulators are easy, probably like a 20 minute job or less if you take your time and do things nicely. (Goes that fast if you know how to take the door panel off)

I found a good write up at Craig Brace's Maxima Page under the how-to's.

 

I'll second that one. Even if you vacuumed out any broken glass that fell in there, you still are looking at less than an hour, start to finish.

 

Thanks fells, its nice to know I'll be able to knock it out quick.

 

just make sure you line up the regulator so you have access to the bolt holes. then carefully drop the glass in and screw it on to the regulator. it's not that bad. i think the rear is more of a PITA than the front.

 

I agree to check craig's page. I have replaced a few regulators now and it's fairly easy.

Like Danny said, be sure to check the alignment. Once you have the window in, check the alignment of the window to the door frame. If it rubs or gets stuck, you can adjust the regulator bolts to adjust it.

 

The trickiest part here is probably sliding the glass into the door. Not bolting it to the regulator. I think there's just enough clearance to pull the window out with the plastic mount in tact though. Let us know how it goes.. I eventually need to replace my scratched up driver's window as well.

 

i think it goes in in the "finished" postion from the inside or you might need to tilt it slightly

 

if you are just putting the glass in, set the regulator so that the window would be half way down and you should be able to take out the two bolts that held the old window. be sure to clean all the glass out of the track where the window goes in the upper part of the door. the new glass should slide right in if tilted to the front then just slid it down put the 2 bolts in and your set. i think mine took me around 30min

 

The replacement itself was very easy, it took a while to clean out the old glass though. If you are replacing a broken window, my advice is to wait until new glass is in before cleaning old glass from inside the door, because it will loosen little bits from the track that you dont even see.

The other part which took me a while was to remove and clean the salvaged window. It came with some ugly purple tint and was very dirty, the glue reeked and took a while to scrub off even with different solvents.

 

a razor blade works the best for that

 

to get the old tint off, spray with ammonia and let it soak a while. then use a razor blade to scrape/peel the tint off. to get the adhesive, spray liberally with windex and let it soak 1-2 minutes. then scrape clean with a razor blade- it'll lift right off.

Glad the window itself was easy. once you hold your tongue right, the front goes right in. the rear is a bit of a pain, but still doable.

 

lol I was aware of all this, thats why the tint is off

 

yes definity a easy job just liek mentioned make sure its lined up before u button it up. also when the window goes in u will have to indo the bottom track the bolt is twords the bopttom of the door below the latch system. also run a flat head threw the window molding to clear up any glass shards u will thank me later for that if u do it by hand. when u put in the glass it will go in cocked so that is why you need to remove the bottom track so u can line it up in the door the bolt holding it should be a 10 mm. from there i am sure u can figure out the rest

 

I'm replacing my FR regulator, where can I get a cheap replacement? My friend bumped into the half open glass when he was closing the door and when I tried putting the window up the motor worked but I heard clicking. The clicking was the cable which was off the plastic pulley at the top.

 

They're all over ebay, I replaced my drivers side front with an ebay one a year ago and it still works good.

*Granted, a year isn't that long... But it seemed pretty durable.*