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Window Regulator - 1951 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Convertible
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VolvoFan



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:15 pm    Post subject: Window Regulator - 1951 Sunbeam-Talbot 90 Convertible Reply with quote

The passenger door window on my car has recently started to unwind when driving over undulating roads and won't stay up in any position it is wound to. Also, I can force the glass down from the outside when it is fully wound closed. Not good for security!

On taking out the window regulator and inspecting the mechanism, I can see nothing obviously wrong: gear teeth on sector and drive pinion not worn, nothing is loose and no broken spring, which has good tension. No sign of rust and the mechanism is well lubricated and the winding action is very smooth.

What allows the window to stay put in whatever position it is wound up or down to? What provides the resistance to prevent the glass falling?

I clamped one of the arms of the regulator in the vice, and wound the gear to increase the spring tension, but immediately I remove my force from the handle, the mechanism runs back to the start! Surely, something in the mechanism should allow the mechanism to "hold" in any position it is wound to?

Where might i find a replacement regulator mechanism?

Any suggestions?
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The spring makes the difference between the window descending and remaining where put. To a lesser extent the friction of the channel felts will help.

You could just try renewing the felts or simply squeezing the metal channels that the felts are set into.

Peter
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Bitumen Boy



Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1733
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wonder if there may have been thin spring washers incorporated at one or more pivot points? They could have worn away and the remains dropped out without leaving anything for you to see.
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VolvoFan



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

peter scott wrote:
The spring makes the difference between the window descending and remaining where put. To a lesser extent the friction of the channel felts will help.

You could just try renewing the felts or simply squeezing the metal channels that the felts are set into.

Peter


Thanks. A bit of a bodge, but may save me an awful lot of time & effort in the long run.
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VolvoFan



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bitumen Boy wrote:
I wonder if there may have been thin spring washers incorporated at one or more pivot points? They could have worn away and the remains dropped out without leaving anything for you to see.


Thanks. No evidence of any washers that may have dropped from linkage as the bottom of the door (inside) is empty of debris.
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Farmer John



Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 181
Location: Manawatu NZ

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:32 pm    Post subject: Sunbeam window winder Reply with quote

Hello Volvofan. A proper classic you have there.
When you look at the winder hub you will see that the pressing the winder handle shaft passes through is much bigger than it needs to be. That is to make room for a brake. If that cylindrical cup shaped thing is riveted or bolted on you might remove it and investigate the brake, probably a spring which unwinds and presses on the inner surface when the handle turns to lower the window.
I really hope this information leads you to figure out your system, you have already discovered that the spring goes some way to balance the weight of the glass and that is all.
Unfortunately I have never been anywhere near a car like yours, let alone seen the window regulator, so it is a big guess on my part.

John
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VolvoFan



Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi John, thanks for the compliment and your suggestions. Although my car is pretty rare these days, the type of window winder mechanism is common to many cars since the 1930's, with some dimensional differences between saloon and convertible types, due to door sizes being different; so a regulator from a Sunbeam-Talbot 90 saloon won't fit my 90 Convertible!

Anyway, I already stripped the winding pinion assembly from its cover, and there was just a plain washer inside but no clutch or brake device. The gear teeth were in good condition. so there has been no slipping on the sector teeth.

What I need to do is to try to find a similar window regulator and strip that to find out if there should indeed be a friction washer or some kind to spring inside the "casing" which contains the drive pinion.

Thanks again.
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