One of the biggest problem areas of classic Mustangs is their poor-quality side windows: They can be difficult to roll up and down; they don't always seat firmly when they're rolled completely up; and sometimes the darned things just fall down inside the door, irretrievably lost unless you pull the door panel for a closer look. These windows are also difficult to service, which is why most of us avoid them like a tax dodger avoids the IRS.
But take heart. We're going to cover '65-'73 Mustang windows, their most common ailments, and how to fix and adjust them. Remember that Mustang windows didn't function well when they were new. In fact, they were the subject of many warranty-service appointments. So, what can you do to make the most of your Mustang window experience?
Believe it or not, Ford understood its own window shortcomings. When the Mustang was introduced, it had a complex window mechanism consisting of two articulating units that interacted with each other to run a single piece of glass up and down inside the door. By 1973, the Mustang's window mechanism had become a simple matter that was easy to service and maintain.
The Mustang's first two years witnessed the mother of all window mechanisms. Actually, this mechanism is easier to operate than the unit that followed in 1967-'68. Windows on a '65-'66 Mustang glide up and down with ease when properly adjusted. So what goes wrong with '65-'66 Mustang windows? Mainly, window regulator bushings fail, which impedes proper operation. But window regulators can also fail due to circumstances beyond their control. When windows bind in their tracks from lack of lubrication or poor adjustment, we're inclined to force the crank, which ruins the regulator. Regulator bushings fail, followed by the gears. Then we sit there trying to crank a window that doesn't have a prayer of working.
This is a typical '65-'66...
This is a typical '65-'66 Mustang window assembly as it appears insidethe door with the window rolled up. The reduction-gear regulator isoperated by the window crank. We crank a small gear, which drives alarge one, giving us mechanical advantage. As the window is cranked upand down, the regulator moves a scissor mechanism tied to the windowglass. From an operation standpoint, this is a good design. From amaintenance standpoint, it is a challenge. There are no rollers in thisdesign. The window glides up and down in felt and burlap-lined tracks.Adjustable stops in the glass and in the tracks determine window travellimits.
The burlap-lined window track...
The burlap-lined window track supports the window glide. This guyadjusts in and out to control window-glass angle. Move it outward at thebottom, and the window glass moves inward at the top. Move it inward,and the glass moves outward up top. Make your adjustments, then run theglass up and down to check the adjustment. The window glass should liesnugly into the weatherstrip with the door closed.
The forward track has two...
The forward track has two basic adjustments. The "A" adjustment controlsthe angle of the window at the wing assembly. Push it outward, and thewing assembly moves inward at the top. Move it inward, and the wingassembly moves out at the top. The "B" adjustment does the same thingfrom a greater distance. Move it outward with the screw adjustment, andthe window angles inward. The entire wing assembly also moves fore andaft in the door.
This is the '65-'66 door-window...
This is the '65-'66 door-window mechanism with the window down. As youcan see, the scissor reverses. The key to smooth operation is properadjustment where the window glides up and down the two tracks fore andaft. Binding is what destroys window regulators and scissors.
Rollers have a tough job....
Rollers have a tough job. Keep them bathed in white grease and WD-40.Replace them immediately when they wear out or crack. For '65-'66models, there are only two of them in each door. Both are easy toservice with the door panel off.
Rear quarter windows in hardtops...
Rear quarter windows in hardtops and convertibles are simple. Except onconvertibles, they rarely wear out because they're seldom used. Thewindow glass glides up and down in a stamped-steel track assembly,which adjusts up and down with three adjustment points. It also adjustsin and out at the bottom. A bolt-on stop controls how low the glassgoes. Fixed stops at the top keep the glass from going too high.
Mustang window mechanisms became less complex with each generation. For '67-'68 models, Ford incorporated the scissor mechanism into the window regulator, eliminating the separate scissor. This step, however, made '67-'68 windows harder to roll up and down. The key to smooth operation is lubrication and proper adjustment. Although '65-'66 window mechanisms are more complex, '67-'68 windows are more frustrating to adjust and maintain. Probably one of the most obvious problems is '67-'68 door windows that get into the rubber weatherstrip at the top of window travel, pushing the weatherstrip out. The only solution is to drill and screw the outer weatherstrip, which gets it out of the way of the window. The clips in the weatherstrip don't work well, making screws necessary. Quarter-window assemblies for 1967-'68 remained much the same as they were in 1965-'66, with larger rollers for smoother operation, and an integral stop, which eliminated yet another part.
The '67-'68 Mustang door windows...
The '67-'68 Mustang door windows have fewer moving parts, with thescissor becoming an integral part of the regulator.
Window down, the scissor reverses,...
Window down, the scissor reverses, just like it does in '65-'66 models.
Instead of a crude, burlap-lined...
Instead of a crude, burlap-lined window track, Ford went to rollers anda track for '67-'68. While this is a good design, it is less forgivingof adjustment error. The roller and track need lots of white grease forsmooth operation. This track adjusts in two places (see arrows) fortrack and window angle.
At the wing window assembly,...
At the wing window assembly, the window glass follows a path similar tothe '65-'66, with a stop (arrow) that controls window travel height. Thewing window assembly adjusts just like the '65-'66--in and out at topand bottom, plus fore and aft movement.
Rollers follow the rear track...
Rollers follow the rear track for 1967-'68. The stop (arrow) limitstravel at the top.
Quarter-window assemblies...
Quarter-window assemblies for 1967-'68 are virtually the same as for1965-'66, except for roller size. For 1967-'68, rollers became largerfor smooth operation, thus they require plenty of white grease and WD-40for reliable service. Adjustments are identical to '65-'66 models. Thereis no bolt-on bottom stop.
Better window mechanisms were among the many engineering improvements made for 1969. Inside cumbersome, frustrating window tracks and wing-window assemblies, Ford went to dual tubular window glides, which served both as tracks and single-point adjustments. Instead of a separate sliding idler like we find in '65-'68 models, 1969 saw the incorporation of an integral idler built into the window regulator. For 1969-'70, window operation is simple, with easy adjustments that don't require door-panel removal.
When these windows don't operate properly, the tubular glides are usually to blame. Plastic or nylon bushings in the glides wear out or crumble, causing the window to bind. These glides need a lot of white grease and WD-40 for smooth operation.
One engineering shortcoming for 1969 and early-'70 was glue-in window glass. The glue deteriorates, and the glass comes loose from the brackets tied to the tubular glides. The most popular solution is to switch to the '70 bolt-in windows, which aren't always easy to find these days.
Quarter windows for 1969-'70 aren't much different from ones for 1965-'68. They sit in a track that can be adjusted up and down and in and out at the bottom to control window angle.
An Ever So Subtle Difference
Did you know there are two types of quarter-windows for 1969-'70? For 1969, the quarter-window (left) is glass alone, with the stainless trim attached to the door window glass. Ford improved this design for 1970 (right) with wider stainless trim attached to the quarter-window instead. We tell you about this important detail because it's easy to forget when shopping for window glass.
For 1969-'70, Ford redesigned...
For 1969-'70, Ford redesigned the Mustang windows, using dual tubularglides instead of window tracks to promote smoother operation, easiermaintenance, and simple adjustment. This is the '69 to early-'70 glue-inwindow, with the glass bonded to the brackets with an industrialadhesive. After years of use, the adhesive loses its grip. You can usenew adhesive or opt for the '70 bolt-in window.
When rolling down the window,...
When rolling down the window, the arms scissor, just like in '65-'68models, with the window sliding down the tubular glides. Gone is the'65-'68 wing-window assembly.
This is one of the two glides...
This is one of the two glides that rides the tubes. Plastic bushingsmake the glide smoother. Thesebushings wear out and bind, so keep plentyof white grease on them.
Adjustment for 1969-'70 is...
Adjustment for 1969-'70 is performed in two places. The tubular glidesadjust in and out at the bottom and up and down at the top.
Quarter-window assemblies...
Quarter-window assemblies changed completely for 1969-'70, but theirbasic operation didn't change much. A die-cast window bracket and glassride down the track, driven by a reduction-gear regulator. Adjustment issimilar to that of '65-'68 models: up and down, and in and out at thebottom. There are fewer moving parts for '69-'70 models.
Ford refined the Mustang's windows dramatically in 1971 by eliminating one of the tubular glides and reducing the number of adjustment points to two. The total number of stops was reduced to three--one at the bottom and two topside. This design became the standard for Ford windows and remains in use today.
Quarter-windows for 1971-'73 remain similar to those for 1969-'70, with an integral idler link and three stops.
Mustang windows became super...
Mustang windows became super simple for 1971-'73, with a single tubularglide and easy to replace bushings and regulator. Note the absence of anidler in this design.
This is the '71-'73 door window...
This is the '71-'73 door window in the down position--no scissor oridler. Simple plastic stops halt window travel at the top.
Quarter-windows from 1971-'73,...
Quarter-windows from 1971-'73, with three stops, are similar in functionto those from 1969-'70. The track rivets to the body, which makes itdifferent from '65-'70 models.