How do you change a window regulator on a 2002 Jeep Cherokee?

Answer 1

this was my first Jeep project a year ago--since then I've done it 3 times.

bought the part for $70 online, took me 2 hours to do. now i can knock it out in about an hour.

jeep dealership wanted $325 to do it. Anyone can do this!

(sorry ahead of time for the lack of technical terms--but I'm going to describe items as easiest i can so you can spot them)

parts: Phillips head screwdriver, flat head screw driver, putty knife/ industrial razor blade, needle nose pliers, ratchet set

*disconnect battery

*use Phillips screw driver to unscrew all visible screws on the face of the door (should be just 2----1 behind door handle, 1 in the door grip)

*using a flat head screw driver, you're going to gently insert it along the edge of the plastic face and shimmy it back and forth to loosen the clips holding the face of the door to the metal frame of the door. be careful! in case one clip breaks, you can buy packs of these from Auto parts stores for $3

*once you have the last Clip popped out, hold the face of the door, and disconnect the electrical connectors from the Window control, and disconnect the 2 rods that operate the door handle & lock. these 2 rods will then hang from the plastic Door Face that you'll be placing off to the side. it's ok.

*now take out all of those Clips & place them onto the plastic Door Face you just removed---it'll make installation a breeze.

*to remove the water seal shroud, use the putty knife to gently scrape from top to bottom as you peel it away--try your best NOT to cut into the shroud. a little black residue will remain on the metal door, but most should come off with the shroud itself. place this shroud off to the side--careful NOT to place it sticky-side down! manuever this away from the door & slide the 2 metal rods through the pre-cut holes.

*disconnect the Speaker from the power cable & the audio cable. unscrew the speaker (4 to 5 screws) and place to the side.

*you can now see the Regulator & window assembly. slide the window to the bottom of the door. you should see 2 small clips holding the window to the Regulator. using Needle nose pliers, pull the small bronze clips out (careful not to drop them into the door frame) and place to the side.

*using 2 hands, slide the window up to the uppermost you can get it.

(some sites will instruct you to remove it, i found an easier way)

slide the window up as far as it will go---and use the Water plastic guards to prop it up. standing between the door & the seat, press the window outward. prop it using one hand, and press the Water plastic guards (small black lining at the bottom of the window where it meets the frame) towards the window & down. do this along the entire water guard. do this to both sides of the window. OR--simpler solution--get Packagin Tape & tape the window UP over the door frame

*using the ratchet, loosen the regulator & rail (4 bolts total). then, (this can be done--just takes some time to get it right), shimmy the regulator/rail out through the largest hole. I've done this 3 times, trust me--you can manoeuver it just right to do this. flip the motor from its original position (left or right of the rail) to the opposite side of the rail (left or right of the rail) and tilt it side ways, then pull it out through the largest hole in the door frame.

installation is the opposite of removal.

*note--the sticky black goo on the Water shroud will stay sticky for a while until you re-adhere it to the door frame, but if you let it sit in the cold, it will eventually harden & you'll have to use a blow-dryer to get it back to its sticky-ness. technical, i know.

Here's a great video that will show you the entire process. It's pretty easy.