All I can say is the window went diagonal on me, front portion fell into the eff'n door? Window motor works as it goes up and down BUT what's not holding the window in place?

 

Take off the door panel. It will be required for repair and exact cause can be determined. Some plastic regulator component has let go I'll wager.

GD

 

Armrest removed, How do I get the lock tab off so I can slide that plastic piece off, so I can remove door trim? Also in advance, how do I remove that inner trim piece shown?

 

The lock tab just clips on to the rod. You just pry it off.

The door panel top rails clip into place over the top edge of the inner door skin and you can shift the door panel and rail side to side to disengage the clips.

GD

 

Lock Tab removed BUT trim piece will not slide off past the door handle. Is there a retaining clip? Or additional screws to remove?

 

It will slide off. You just have to get the handle in the right position. Look at the panel and the handle you will see where the handle can pass through.

GD

 

God the trim & panel off. Any suggestions as to what to check or look for?



This rivet? fell out right as the door panel was free. ***might have to click the pic to see it...

 

MIGHT have found the problem...



Held a screwdriver in place of that NON-OEM looking bolt and window stays in place. GDHackery!

 

Yikes. That's going to need major surgery either in the form of welding up the cracks and probably reinforcing by welding a washer there, or drilling the spot welds and replacing the entire inner door skin.

That's completely f*cked.

GD

 

Yeah, that's ugly. And appears to have been so for some time. But, do it right this time, and it will be right for a long time to come.

 

It's NOT the best solution BUT it's a solution that after a few up/down window & open/close door runs has held up! It only took a washer, and my new $17 PITTSBURGH® 17-1/2 In Heavy Duty Hand Riveter Set using the biggest rivet included.



Installed door blah blah... still tightening the armrest.



All done, no sticks holding the window in place!

 

Yeah those aluminum rivets are soft like kittens so don't use that window till you get it fixed proper.

GD

 

Yup, that's just a band-aid, it's not going to last long.

OE was a rivet but it was steel. Somebody has had it apart.

With the sheet metal all cracked like that, it has no chance of permanence. That needs a bit more love. The tension holding the window against the rubber seal is what caused the cracks; that rivet will eventually pull out of there from that force, and the cracks will continue to grow.

A bolt would work fine once the sheet metal is fixed, but not just yerbasic bolt & nut. It will eventually loosen itself (Ask me how I know this) A keps nut and a shakeproof under the bolt head will help, along with using a large enough bolt (6mm or so) tp where you can tighten it up good. Or of course a steel rivet that size.