If you own a '79-'93 Fox-body Mustang, chances are good it has power windows. Chances are also good that you have at least one window that's inoperative. Perhaps you have a noisy window that clicks going up or down. Most of the time, these malfunctions are motor drive or switch related. If you can hear the motor running and the window isn't moving, it is most likely the motor drive transmission, which is easy to repair.
National Parts Depot embraces Fox-body enthusiasts with parts and accessories for these popular modern classics. A great example is the things we need in order to get lazy and broken power windows working again. If you want to stick with your Mustang's original power window drive motors, you can rebuild them using NPD's window regulator drive kit (#234A24-1) for $50.53 each.
The main reason to replace power window drive motors is when the motor stops working completely. Typically, these motors function for a long time without repair issues. Power windows usually stop working due to motor drive transmission failure or perhaps a bad switch. Because the motor drive transmission employs nylon components for quiet operation, they have a limited lifespan, especially if the window binds. Ring gears crack and torque pins (rollers) crumble. When this happens, you will hear the motor run without window movement.
1 NPD has everything you...
1 NPD has everything you need to get your power windows moving again. Before you are all four new power window motors, each priced around $60 to $65, which is a smoking deal for new motors.
2 Front power window motors...
2 Front power window motors look like this with a shallow gear drive that engages the window regulator in each door. Rear quarter window motors have extended gear drives for a deep reach into the regulator. Motor and window regulator are two separate units for easy service.
3 Inside is the power window...
3 Inside is the power window motor drive transmission. The motor's steel worm gear drives a nylon ring gear/torque pin (roller) combo.
4 Here's the nylon ring gear/torque...
4 Here's the nylon ring gear/torque pin combo. On the right is an intact ring gear. On the left is a cracked ring gear with its torque pins. In many cases, motor operation can be restored by replacing the ring and drive gears, which are available as a kit from NPD for around $45.
5 Power window motor repair...
5 Power window motor repair or replacement begins with door panel removal, which involves removing the armrest, window gang switches, and door handle escutcheon. Door panels are secured with plastic push pins, which have to be replaced if worn or broken.
6 Windows bind primarily...
6 Windows bind primarily at the glide tube. These glides need to be cleaned periodically and lubed with white grease for reliable operation. When they bind, they tend to break motor drives.
7 Three bolts secure the...
7 Three bolts secure the motor inside the door. Once the bolts are removed with a 10mm socket and the wiring harness disconnected, the motor comes free. We used a piece of broomstick to hold the window up during motor removal.
8 Lubricate the drive gear...
8 Lubricate the drive gear on the new motor with moly coat for installation. You can also use white grease.
9 Install the new or repaired...
9 Install the new or repaired motor through the speaker opening and spline it into the regulator before securing with the three mounting bolts.
10 Access to the rear quarter...
10 Access to the rear quarter window motors calls for some disassembly. Rear seat and quarter trim panels are removed to gain access. Like the front, three bolts retain the quarter window motor assembly.
11 If you're replacing the...
11 If you're replacing the rear motor, the bracket is transferred from the old motor to the new. The cross-slot screw and nut adjust motor worm gear/shaft endplay.