So I see a 1999 XK8 Convertible owned by my neighbor and she tells my wife that the driver rear window is stuck. I'm a nice guy so I say I will see if I can fix it. This thing a a royal pain to remove and the only way I got it out was by removing the regulator from the window rail while they were in the car and taking them out one at a time. The cable seems to have wrapped around the motor a few times and looks to be destroyed. Couple question:

Is it possible to insert the whole thing in the car in one piece?

Can I just buy a new cable and do I even want to or should I just buy a new regulator?

Lastly, I will be sticking to old 911s from now on.

 

That doesn't sound fun at all. Recently replaced one on my daughter's Sebring. Three nuts and the whole unit extracts out the top. It couldn't have been easier.

 

Hi,
You're a good man to help your neighbour out on his Jag, or did you do it because your wife "asked" you too. I have a 1999 XK8 and had to adjust the rear quarter glass on the driver's side too as there was a gap between the driver's door glass and the rear quarter glass. I attach a PDF of someone's experience from www.jag-lovers.com.
The job isn't too bad but it takes a bit of disassembly to get in there. For me, the T50 hex bit needed to remove the seat belt was a bit of a pain, as I didn't have it in my tool bag.
As usual, after I finished my adjustment of the rear glass, and put it back together, suddenly the speaker started acting up.

 

Post a picture of the unit to let us see the state of the cable and the unit. Not sure you can buy the cable alone on-line, so unless you know a specialist company for this repair, you'll have to buy the entire new unit. Now that really would be "helping" your neighbour. Not sure it'll impress the wife though.

 

Yes, it's not the easiest job. I just did it for the 4th time a month ago. To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can install all in one. Preferable that way but you must be careful not to break the glass. I don't even want to know how much it costs.

2. You can buy new regulators from various suppliers or jag dealers. I got a good deal from a Jag dealer online in Ft Myers, but shop around. I went the rebuild route my first time and it only lasted 9-10 months and the rebuilder was out of business.

3. My friend has a mid 80s 911, they have their quirks too

Here is also a nice writeup from one of our admins, Gus, who's instructions are spot on. Make sure you tape the paint so you don't scratch it up, etc: http://jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepa...lacement-2.pdf

 

I had to fix one a couple years ago. The entire regulator and glass can come up thru the slot if you release the convertible top mount on that side. Then you can get enough space to slide the whole assembly up thru the window slot.

You can get the kit to repair the regulator on Amazon.

I took a lot of pics of the repair of the regulator using the kit. Its covered here in my working thread.

 

​​​​@rothwell it looks like you did that repair several years ago? I now have a few spare regulators I can have ready when they fail. Still happy with that route? Great stuff if you have the patience and time.

 

Rebuilding with the kit takes very little time once you figure out the cable routing and how to hold it all together while you reassemble.. I would do it again that way if the need arises..

 

My independent quoted me $1,000 to do one side due to the pita factor. I walked away from a purchase due to it

 

Thanks a lot guys. The PDF is basically what I did, but I never touched the Convertible top at all. I guess I will attempt to install in one piece.

Yes, 911s are a major pain in the *** too, the newer the more difficult because of space. My Defender takes the cake though. That car was put together by satan.