Window regulator question...?

[gold10go4]

My 2001 Regal GS had a bad regulator. I took the door panel off and found that a very small plastic clip in the regulator had broken, allowing the cable to break free of the regulator. I thought I'd go to the dealer and get a clip for it, or perhaps buy a portion of the regulator to replace a larger piece, if I had to. The dealer told me I could only buy the ENTIRE regulator, not any one piece. Now, the plastic piece is about a 5 cent item, and I'm told I have to buy an entire regulator. Cost $400; yeh, they were going to cut me a break from the normal $430 cost. Yeh, right. I went to the salvage yard, but couldn't find a replacement. Are these my only options - buy new or salvaged? The plastic piece that broken doesn't seem to be replaceable unless GM provides one, but I'm told they don't. It doesn't seem possible that someone would have to spend $400 to fix a 5 cent piece of plastic.

[regalfriend]

I have a 97 GS...All 4 of mine broke...If I remember correct I bought the regulator and motor for about $90. I paid about $50 labor to put in...I cant remember where I bought it...If you look around Im sure youll find it...Stay away from the dealer. Its only good to use them if the car is still under warranty

[brian_k24]

I found a regulator for my '99 Regal on e-bay for $20 plus $15 shipping. This was for one without a motor but it only takes 5 minutes to take the motor out of the old one and put in the new one.

[gold10go4]

I didn't realize when I posted, but there are parts stores on the web that sell replacement regulators. I was amazed that I could buy one for under $100 when the dealer wanted $400. When I actually got to looking around there were plenty of places. I hadn't looked, assuming that it was a dealer-only item. Whew, got that's not the case. If anyone could ever figure out, however, how to replace just the broken clip instead of the entire unit, he might make himself a small fortune. I would imagine this problem happens quite often. Pity the poor people who can't do the work themselves, and have to pay $400 plus labor.