body and interior Replacing The Window Track Felt That's On The Vent Window Frame

[Mike Self]

Has anyone replaced the felt window channel--what the main roll-up window slides up and down in--without removing the vent window frame from the door?  Reinstalling and aligning the vent window after removing is a real PITA and I want to avoid that if possible... Same with the track on the rear edge of the door--can the felt be replaced without removing the channel?

 

And is the felt channel still available? 

 

TIA

mike

[cj]

I have done it without pulling apart the door. I rolled the window all the way down, pinched the old felt together at the top and pull the old felt out of the channel. There are little points that grab onto the felt when they're installed. Trimmed the new felt to size, rolled the window up a third of the way and started feeding the channel in as I rolled the window down. I didn't need any lube but, I did apply some Wurth weatherstrip glue at the top one inch of the new channel felt before I pushed it in. It makes a huge difference. A little tight to roll up at first but, loosens up and no more slop. Hope this helps.

BTW, I bought the felt from Blunt who furnishes one piece that you trim to size.

Edited October 22, 2013 by cj

[deanres]

Just replaced mine this weekend. Pulled the old ones out with a needle nose. Measured the old one cut the piece that I bought from Blunt Tech to size, and fed it down just like others mentioned with the window a third open. It is so nice to not hear clunks when you close the doors, and to get rid of one more rattle when driving.

 

 

[MikeWooldridge]

This is what others have used. From my blog.

Here is the information from the package. This stuff is aftermarket, but looks and works like a charm: Order from Central Glass, (Mike Hadley) 801-355-7576

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/uploads/monthly_08_2013/post-9145-0-28686300-1376143969.jpg

[arminyack]

http://www.jjautofabrics.com/as1198-all-rubber-window-channel-96/

 

For future reference. I just ordered this, We'll see how it turns out!

[deschodt]

For the record after doing this with a factory part, I noticed my window was a LOT harder to roll up, almost to the point of damaging things... The slop of the old felt was hiding serious alignment issues of glass in the channel, which in truth I only solved to a 50% level by readjusting the frame (not as easy as it seems anyway). I bought an aftermarket felt recommend on this board - might be same as above, don't recall - and replaced the super tight factory felt with that wider easier more rubbery aftermarket deal. It's got more give or just is wider... Between that and the adjustment it's now easier to roll up and still no rattles...  Not sure what my point is, heads up maybe ;-)

 

PS: in hindsight, that door glass imploded all by itself at a mechanic's years ago and they replaced it for free... I'm now wondering if they put in a wrong glass or something - no matter what I adjust it seems the glass is more "curved" than the channel ever will be...

Edited January 5, 2017 by deschodt

[Jbaumshelter]

I just got done installing the new felt from Blunt in the drivers side door. Couple of things that may be helpful to someone. 

 

1. If you doors/windows are not working or aligned correctly I would not suggest trying to install the new felt without taking the door cards off. The felt is going to be a bit more snug than the old stuff. Things will bind up and not move as smoothly. My window cranked great until I hit the upper 1/3 and then got stiff to the point that I didn't want to damage anything. I made a VERY SLIGHT adjustment to the 10mm screw on the top left side of the door and everything moved perfectly. My point...you can't make any slight adjustments with the door cards on. Go for it if you think things are working great but my guess would be that your going to be taking it apart. 

 

2. The new felt from Blunt is a perfect fit. I comes in 1 length that you need to cut in half. It has a metal strip in it so you can't just bring out your trusty utility knife to cut it. The metal bends fairly easily. I used a hack saw with a new blade but that really wasn't perfect. Preferably, I would have used a Dremel for this job. Mine was MIA. Of course I found it after I was done. Murphy's law...? After I cut it, I used a cigarette lighter on all the ends to clean up and seal any loose threads and get a cleaner look.

 

3. The advice above about rolling the window half way up is spot on. I did the same thing and it worked great. Had a small snag on the track towards the bottom with one of the rivet heads not he vent window. Pulled it back out and made slight bend in the metal frame of the felt so it would clear easier and no problem. You may not encounter this problem. Seems my rivet was just sticking out a little out of normal. 

 

4. The fitment seems perfect so I didn't use any glue. Probably wouldn't hurt but I just didn't see a need. There are some grabbers at the top of the window that hold it in. I guess if they were damaged, glue would be the easiest option. 

 

5. TUBE O LUBE! I love this stuff. I use it on anything that needs lubrication. Basically a fine graphite lubricant. I put some of it in the new felt track and it really made a big difference in the ease of the window rolling up. The stuff is great and never turns to clay like lithium grease. 

 

Hope that helps somebody. 

[jdt10768]

fwiw: I used this stuff https://www.ebay.com/itm/Precision-Parts-Weatherstrip-Seal-New-75-0636/371379164330?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 and it worked like a charm. Took maybe 5 minutes per side to rip out the old and install the new weatherstrip.