Toyota Camry Door Glass / Glass Guide / Window Regulator / Regulator Motor Replacement

This article will address 4 seperate door glass related replacement parts: 1. A broken or shattered Door Glass 2. Defective Door Glass Guide (causing a water leak or wind roar) 3. Defective Window Regulator (door glass is stuck - sporadically moves). 4. A non functioning Regulator Motor (as a sub component of the Window Regulator). Regardless of what part requires replacement, the interior door panel must be removed to gain access to the failed components.

If the Door Glass has been shattered, the Door Glass Guide may or may not require removal. I recommend removing it to ease removal of any residual glass fragments lodged within the guide. Some of the glass fragments may not be removable while the guide is retained within the Door Guide Frame. A metal rod pushed and guided against the Door Glass Guide may dislodge any residual glass fragments. Prepare to spend some time vacuuming out broken glass fragments from the interior of the door after the door panel and the plastic Vapor/Water Barrier have been removed.

If the Door Glass Guide is damaged, the Door Glass must be removed; however, the Window Regulator can remain in place detached from the Door Glass.

If either the Window Regulator or the Regulator Motor requires replacement, the Door Glass and Guide are to remain in place with the Door Glass taped in place to prevent it from sliding down into the door. However, the Door Glass can be easily removed from the door and re-inserted without much difficulty.

Regulator Motors can be purchased separately from their Window Regulator ... if you can find an inexpensive replacement. But from my shopping experience, for a few dollars more, a complete Window Regulator with a new motor can be purchased as a combined unit. If you think you can re-build the Regulator Motor, Good Luck. I've tried and never got it to work. Once the electrical brushes are gone, all attempts to use a substitute brush have failed.

The Door Glass and the Door Glass Guide are difficult to obtain off the internet unless from a Ebay Junkyard scavenger. Otherwise, its the dealership. Shop and compare prices or visit your local Junkyard and bring your tool box. You will only need a 3/8" 10mm socket w/extension and driver, screw driver set and a small plastic pry bar.

a. Pry off the Power Window Switch.

b. Disconnect the Power Window Switch Electrical Connector

c. Open the Inside Door Handle Bezel Screw Cover.

d. Remove the Inside Door Handle Bezel Screw.

e. Remove the Inside Door Handle Bezel. The Bezel is retained by an Upper and Lower Inside Handle Pin. Position a thin Screw Driver between the Handle Bezel and the Inside Handle (see photo) and release the upper connection by pulling out. Perform the same on the lower part of the Bezel by pulling down and pulling out (see photo). Now the Bezel can be completely removed.

f. Remove the Panel Screw Cover and Screw.

g. Remove the Door Handle Screw Cover and remove the Screw.

h. Remove the 2nd Lower Door Handle Screw.

i. Remove the Door Panel Side Pin. Push in the center pin then pry out the pin.

j. Remove the two lower Door Panel Screws.

k. Using small plastic Pry Bar, from the bottom of the Door Panel, gently pull the Door Panel away from the bottom of the door by tugging on the plastic retainer clips behind the panel.

l. Lift and angle away the Door Panel away from the Door Glass Lip.

m. Remove an Door Panel Retainer Clips that did not separate with the Door Panel.

n. Transfer the Door Panel Retainer Clips to the Door Panel.

The Plastic Vapor / Water Barrier should not be torn off or ripped out. Gently pull along the edges to remove it from its semi-adhesive glue. Peel it half way up to expose the access holes. Use tape to help the barrier up.

a. Temporarily reconnect the Power Window Switch to allow positioning and alignment of the Door Window bolts with the bolt access holes. If the Window Regulator Motor is non-functional, then bypass this step.

The remainder of this article will be broken up into three parts based on the type of repair desired. Select the appropriate 'go to' section:

I. DOOR GLASS GUIDE REPLACEMENT

II. DOOR GLASS REPLACEMENT

III. WINDOW REGULATOR / REGULATOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT

Skip to the appropriate section to perform the specific repair.

a. Temporarily connect the Power Window Switch.

b. Turn on the ignition (not the engine) to allow the switch to move the Door Window. Align the Door Window Mounting Bolts to the Door's Access Holes.

c. In the absence of a helper, use either duct or wrapping tape to hold the Door Window in place before removing the Door Window bolts.

d. Remove the Door Window Bolts.

e. Push the Door Window Mounting Holes away from the Window Regulator Glass Mounting Points.

f. Grasp the Door Window and angle out the Glass from the door.

g. Grasp the inside of the Rubber Window Guide and pull down to separate it from the Door Frame. Peel the Rubber Window Guide starting from the top to the side and then to the inside of the door.

h. Apply Silicone spray lubricant on the new Rubber Window Guide. Position the new Window Guide in the corner of the door and press fit the guide in. Use the door's access holes to fit the guide into the door's front and rear Window Guide Frame.

i. Angle the Door Glass into the door. A helper can then assist in positioning the Door Glass followed by screwing in the Door Glass Mounting Bolts.

Test that the Door Window moves freely on the Window Guide and is completely aligned. If out of alignment, loosen the Window Mounting Bolts and re-position the glass.

This section is only for Door Glass replacement and assumes that the old Door Glass has been shattered. Before performing the replacement steps, vacuum out all glass debris from the inside door cavity.

a. Temporarily connect the Power Window Switch.

b. Turn on the ignition (not the engine) to allow the switch to move the Door Window. Align the Door Window Mounting Bolts to the Door's Access Holes.

c. In the absence of a helper, use either duct or wrapping tape to hold the Door Window in place before removing the Door Window bolts.

d. Remove the Door Window Bolts.

e. Remove the plastic Door Window Bolt Shims by pulling on the shim tabs. Then push the Door Window Mounting Holes away from the Window Regulator Glass Mounting Points.

f. Re-attach the Window Mounting Shim on the new Door Glass Mounting Holes and angle the Door Glass into the door. A helper can then assist in positioning the Door Glass followed by screwing in the Door Glass Mounting Bolts.

Test that the Door Window moves freely on the Window Guide and is completely aligned. If out of alignment, loosen the Window Mounting Bolts and re-position the glass.

a. If the Window Regulator Motor has stopped functioning, then the Door Glass cannot be moved downward to allow unbolting of the Door Window Mounting Bolts through the Door Access Holes. In this situation, the Window Regulator must be unbolted from the Door Frame with the Door Window attached. (See photo a.) The Regulator and Window can then be dropped down and manually positioned to allow access and removal of the Window Mounting Bolts. If assistance is unavailable, hold the base of the Window with one hand while removing the Door Window Mounting Bolts with the other.

b. If the Window Regulator is partially functional, attempt to align the Door Window Mounting Bolts to the Door's Access Holes to remove the Window Mounting Bolts. (See photo b.)

After the last bolt has been removed, pull the Door Window up from the regulator and tape in place or remove the Window from the door. The Window Regulator Assembly may now be removed from the access hole. (See photo c.) Remove any wire connections to the Window Regulator prior to any regulator frame bolt removal.

b. If only replacing the Window Regulator Motor, remove the two screws that secures the motor to the regulator. Pull the motor out and replace with the new motor. (See photo e.)

c. Re-attached the Window Regulator Assembly back into the door. The Window Regulator Bracket (see photo a.) can hold the assembly in place while the bolts are being screwed in.

d. Connect the Regulator electrical fitting and temporarily connect the Power Window Switch. Test to determine if the motor is working. Avoid contact with the base of the Door Glass if taped in place. If the motor is functional and using the Power Window Switch, align the assembly window mounting points with the door access holes. Having a helper assist with positioning the Window Glass Mounting Points. Once in position, secure the Window Mounting Bolts.

Test that the Door Window moves freely on the Window Guide and is completely aligned. If out of alignment, loosen the Window Mounting Bolts and re-position the glass.