Freezing Doors And Windows...

[mustang8998]

I did a search and came up empty handed.

We bought our 2001 Expy, in September, so haven't had to deal with freezing weather, until now.

We had some rain Sunday and it turned to snow, later in the day. And it got really cold that night. So the wife goes to leave for work and the doors are frozen shut. Then the windows won't work either. Then, today she calls and says the drivers window won't go up.

I went to her work and swapped vehicles. I took the door panel off and the window was separated from the regulator arm. I used some Permatex glue (the part store people, are no help here) and put it back together. I told her not to use the window, for a couple days.

The thing that gets me, is I have a '99 F150 and never have these issues. (The doors were frozen, Monday morning, but opened with a firm tug). My truck is a Supercab, so the doors and windows, are somewhat different.

Anyone else, have these problems?

 

[Stoned06]

Anytime it rains, then snows/freezes, most vehicles will have this problem if they have been sitting outside. The felt/rubber window mouldings aren't designed to be 100% waterproof. As they age they will let more water in as they shrink or wear due to sun damage. You get just a little too much water between the felt and the window and this will happen. The window off the arm is most likely the result of trying to lower the window while frozen.

 

[corlon]

2000 expy with doors that freeze shut. i hit all the waetherstripping with liquid ice detailer then race glaced all the painted surfaces the weatherstripping contacts. haven't had a problem sence. as far as windows go you could try dish soap on the tracks. haven't tried this myself, but heard it works.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I think I read that you can just wipe the rubber stripping down with WD-40 and it won't freeze shut.

 

[mustang8998]

As I thought, the recommended glue was no use. It didn't hold, after 2 days.

I spoke with a good friend, who owns his own glass business. He told me, it is not impossible to do, but not always a sure fix. A new glass, is not too expensive, so I think I'll go that route.

He said it is a very common problem and he always keeps a window, in stock.

 

[mustang8998]

I think I read that you can just wipe the rubber stripping down with WD-40 and it won't freeze shut.

I did that......not so great.

I should also add, the thing is only driven 5 or 6 miles total, on days my wife works. That is a lot of the problem, with moisture not being thawed and evaporated.

Thanks fellas!

 

[Remo]

As I thought, the recommended glue was no use. It didn't hold, after 2 days.

I spoke with a good friend, who owns his own glass business. He told me, it is not impossible to do, but not always a sure fix. A new glass, is not too expensive, so I think I'll go that route.

He said it is a very common problem and he always keeps a window, in stock.

Just my luck, I think the same thing happened to me the other day. Tried to open the window when it was 20 degrees out and the glass stayed in place but I heard the motor move. When it warmed up the next day, the glass started sliding down and I ended up having to duct tape it in place. It sounds like the glass separated from the mechanism, just like on yours. How does your mechanic friend recommend repairing this? I'm going to try to tackle this tomorrow and don't have the time or money to get new glass. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

 

[mustang8998]

Just my luck, I think the same thing happened to me the other day. Tried to open the window when it was 20 degrees out and the glass stayed in place but I heard the motor move. When it warmed up the next day, the glass started sliding down and I ended up having to duct tape it in place. It sounds like the glass separated from the mechanism, just like on yours. How does your mechanic friend recommend repairing this? I'm going to try to tackle this tomorrow and don't have the time or money to get new glass. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

It's not hard to get to the inside of the door, but he recommends to remove the window and the clips. He said that you want to try to locate exactly where the mounting clips are located. Next clean the glass (very important) and use a drill bit, to clean the old adhesive out of the clips. The adhesive is a two part deal, you'll have to try to find that, as I'm not sure where you can buy it.

He also told me, that he has tried re-gluing them, his self and had some come back. Thats why I decided to get the new one. I can use the window immediately and don't have to worry about the adhesive curing, when the temps are below freezing.

Good luck!

 

[Remo]

It's not hard to get to the inside of the door, but he recommends to remove the window and the clips. He said that you want to try to locate exactly where the mounting clips are located. Next clean the glass (very important) and use a drill bit, to clean the old adhesive out of the clips. The adhesive is a two part deal, you'll have to try to find that, as I'm not sure where you can buy it.

He also told me, that he has tried re-gluing them, his self and had some come back. Thats why I decided to get the new one. I can use the window immediately and don't have to worry about the adhesive curing, when the temps are below freezing.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. I took the door panel apart today and confirmed the glass did separate from the clips. The mechanism seems bent out of shape now and the door handle is binding on something so I cannot open the door from the inside, too. What a mess...Anyway, thanks again for the help. And if you know what the adhesive is called or what brand or where to buy that would be helpful, too. Thanks.

 

[mustang8998]

Thank you for the advice. I took the door panel apart today and confirmed the glass did separate from the clips. The mechanism seems bent out of shape now and the door handle is binding on something so I cannot open the door from the inside, too. What a mess...Anyway, thanks again for the help. And if you know what the adhesive is called or what brand or where to buy that would be helpful, too. Thanks.

Sorry man, I didn't ask him what the stuff is called.

If you tried putting the window up, or down once it had come lose, it could have bent the latch rod. Jason told me he had one, just last week, that he had to replace the latch assembly on. I was lucky, in that nothing on mine was damaged.

He did tell me to spray the tracks, with any kind of lubricant, that has silicone, or teflon in it. WD40 works, but the silicone/teflon types will last longer.

Hope you get it straightened out!

 

[Remo]

Sorry man, I didn't ask him what the stuff is called.

If you tried putting the window up, or down once it had come lose, it could have bent the latch rod. Jason told me he had one, just last week, that he had to replace the latch assembly on. I was lucky, in that nothing on mine was damaged.

He did tell me to spray the tracks, with any kind of lubricant, that has silicone, or teflon in it. WD40 works, but the silicone/teflon types will last longer.

Hope you get it straightened out!

Thanks. The latch rod was bent out of shape, but it was able to be straightened out so I'm no longer locked inside my car (ha ha, what can I say? I am part-Polish, lol). Anyway, looks like the glass was held in with clear silicone, so I might just go that route for now and see how it works out. Thanks again!

 

[mustang8998]

Anyway, looks like the glass was held in with clear silicone, so I might just go that route for now and see how it works out. Thanks again!

That's how mine looked too. Jason said it (the 2 part adhesive) looked like silicone, with a slight yellow tint.

I hope it works out for you, Remo!

 

[taylor51]

My window has frozen a few times and come out of the clips and I tried several different types of silicone and glue. Nothing seemed to hold and the guys at the parts places don't have a clue. I put the glass into the clips with no glue and ran the window up and down to get the clips where they should be on the glass and marked their locations with a sharpie. I took the clips off, cleaned them the best I could, cleaned the glass the best I could, and then pinched the clips in with channel-locks (I think this is what helped the most). I squirted the clips full of a good window trim silicone and pushed them onto the window at the marks. put everything back together and waited a day or so. Window has been doing fine and have had several below freezing days. Hope this helps.

 

[mustang8998]

Hope it works for you, Taylor.

 

[steelnewfie]

Revive for frozen doors. Both driver and passenger opened today (-15 C) but when I tried to close them, they would not latch shut. Wondering what part I should lubricate and with what.

Bedrock I know it's an old thread!

 

[Bedrck47]

Silicon spray on the rubber parts WD40 on the latches in your area heavy doses

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Revive for frozen doors. Both driver and passenger opened today (-15 C) but when I tried to close them, they would not latch shut. Wondering what part I should lubricate and with what.

Bedrock I know it's an old thread!

The door latch mechanism is freezing. The mechanism is in the door and connects to the door striker pin when you close the door.

Use white lithium grease and liberally lubricate the latch with the door open. Gently close and open the door several times to spread the grease. Use your finger to apply the grease again, then open/close several more times. Wipe off the excess from the door strike pin.

The grease is sold in toothpaste type / size tubes in most auto parts stores. It is also sold in a spray can with a thin spray nozzle tube. You can spray the lubricant into the latch and the carrier evaporates, leaving the grease.

WD40 is a good product as it displaces water - but will not leave behind enough lubricant to keep the latch free from sticking.

 

[steelnewfie]

Thanks Bedrock and 99white. I'll give it a try!

 

[Bedrck47]

If you use the Silicon spray on the rubber Also spray some on the metal frame where the rubber makes contact

The thing about old threads is that most of the people that posted on the thread haven't been on for a while and if your looking for help from them it may be a long wait. Its a shame that these old threads can't be closed and put in a archive section.

Although the information in those old threads may be useful it is often that some information is outdated and had been improved on.

 

[steelnewfie]

Did what you guys said and yesterday (-11 C) the doors opened and shut perfectly. Thanks!!!