How to change a 2003 window regulator (lots of pics)

[CAFB 04-12]

I had to replace the passenger side regulator on my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and I thought I would post some photos and create a little how-to for those of you facing a similar project. All references to left and right are relative to the passenger door. Since I am in England right now I would have had to pay enormous fees for the local Jeep dealer to import parts from Europe (since the steering wheel is on the right hand side over here, I'm not sure a British spec Jeep regualtor for the same door would have fit my US spec Jeep, but I didn't actually bother to check), so I decided to buy a rebuilt one off eBay and try it myself. Here's where I got the regulator with motor: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT



I didn't find the Hayne's manual too helpful or detailed with respect the doors, though they do give you a good order in which to accomplish things.

1. Remove the door panel.

This was harder than I thought since I didn't know how hard to pull or what I was looking for. I only broke one plastic connector and I imagine they would be easy to find in the States. Remove the three screws holding the panel on (one by the mirror, another behind the door handle, and another in the arm rest) and then use a screwdriver or putty knife to pry the panel off. Behind the panel you'll find the weather guard (although in this picture you won't see it because I took the photo out of order). Unclip all the electrical connectors and door handle assembly. Here's a top-looking-down picture of the door handle assembly:

It wasn't hard to figure out which went where during reassembly.

2. Remove the weather guard.

This is what you'll find behind the door panel. It's held on by some non-drying adhesive, so be sure to store it adhesive-side up to keep it clean. I'm not sure if you can get more of this at an auto store or not, I just reused what was on the guard. If you pull slowly most will come off on the rubber guard. There's Daddy's little "helper" in the corner.



3. Remove the weather stripping around the window.

My window regulator broke in the free-fall position and I think it would be easiest to remove the stripping with the window all the way down. I removed it all except the aft corner. I had to tug a bit at the forward corner to get it to come out with the window still in the guide. I was able to work the glass out with the aft corner still in. Keep the little sponge things.


4. Remove the glass.

First unclip the glass from the guide. The left one is easily accessible from the big hole on the left, the right side is accessible from the right hole midway up the door. Needle nosed pliars worked best. Once you pull the support off the studs you can pull the glass out the top.

I was able to work the glass out the top by turning it on an angle (careful not the drop the glass while taking a picture...). Once the glass is out you can see down the top better and get an idea of how the regulator is positioned with the motor.

5. Remove the regulator.

The Haynes manual tells you to loosen some bolts and remove others. The diagram in my manual was incorrect anyway, so I removed all the ones that didn't have a hole adjacent to it and loosened all the others. The black bolts hold the slide assembly and the gray bolts hold the motor assembly. The bolts slide out of their slots and you can remove the regulator from the bottom left hole. Oh yeah, be sure to unplug the green wire.

I forgot to take a good picture of how the regulator is positioned, but you can figure it out easily enough using the bolt holes as a guide.

6. Install the new regulator. In my case the steel cable snapped. I've heard of others losing the plastic pulleys.

7. Reassemble your car. This is all in the reverse order of disassembly. Don't forget to put those sponge things back in so you don't have to take the door panel off again (not like I did that or anything). I was surprised how easy reassembly was compared with disassembly.

I would rate this do-it-yourself fix as easy to moderate. I consider myself good with tools and taking things apart, though I don't like to mess with things that will affect the driveability of my car like removing engines or transmissions. I did need a hex shaped screwdriver for one screw, otherwise all I needed was a phillips head screwdriver, needle-nosed pliars, and my camera (which is a good tool if you have a hard time remembering what went where before you take it apart). The hardest part was getting the door panel off and the weather stripping off. Hope this is helpful.

Feel free to add your comments and experiences.