Window seal issue

Tiny
GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 51,000 MILES
Recently, my passenger side window began slowing down a bit when rolling it up. I didn't pay a lot of attention until the other day when it decided not to go up past halfway. The door's window seal has somehow become jammed in the window mechanism. I have no clue how this failure happened, but the rubber seal is binding with the window and not allowing it to go up all the way. I have removed the door skin, but it offers no clue as to what the deal is inside the door where the window is. While I (fortunately) am able to locate one on eBay, I have no clue as to the removal and replacement procedure for this trim. The trim is now torn and damaged so it will need replaced but since I'm not sure how it happened, I need to ensure it doesn't happen again. I am enclosing two pics, one of the driver's (good) side, and one of the passenger (defective) side.
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Saturday, June 4th, 2022 AT 12:21 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This is common on these vehicles. Basically, what happens is the rubber starts to dry out normally due to window cleaner and other chemicals and the window starts to grab the rubber and pull it out of place.

Once this starts to happen, we are going to have to replace this.

Can you get a picture of the door panel with the interior panel removed?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Normally there are a couple of nuts holding it in place and I think it is part of the window channel run which is what holds the window in place when it is going up and down.

The way to avoid this is to use a spray silicone on the window channel and then run the window up and down a few times after cleaning the vehicle.

This will lubricate the channel and prevent the window from pulling the channel out of position and cutting it.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2022 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
Thanks for your reply! Looks like it may be a week before I can get a used one in hand. Here are the pics. I have no clue how to detach this thing, nor how to install the new one. I may make a quick attempt to have a friend pull the window up while I hit the window switch, but I don't want to damage the motor.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2022 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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  • 18,907 POSTS
The gray padding and the plastic underneath just pulls off. It is most likely glued on and does not come off nicely so it may rip in places, but you will be able to pull it off.

That will give access to the interior of the door where the glass is and the channel it rides on. More than likely it is off the entire front track so I would not recommend forcing it.

Once you get it back on the track it will go smoothly.

However, to replace this you need to replace the entire door seal.

It is not just the triangle part; it is the rubber part that goes down the entire front of the door.

See the details below. The strip will just pull off and there are going to be plastic clips underneath that hold it in place.

Lastly, there is a longer part that feeds down into the window opening that connects to the rest of the window channel inside the door. This is the last picture with the blue arrow showing where it goes down into the door.

I would start at the bottom of the door and start pulling it up from there and that will show you how it comes off. Otherwise wait until you get the replacement so that you can see the underside.

It is not complicated once you see how it goes but it is not obvious.

You are going to access the long piece off the triangle from inside the door panel which is why you have to remove the padding.

Let me know if you have questions. Unfortunately, the manual does not have a process for doing this.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2022 AT 4:21 PM
Tiny
GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
That helps a lot. Considering the pic you sent back with the single arrow indicating the rubber strip that goes down inside the door. That seems to be the rubber piece that is jamming up the window. Is it not supposed to be affixed to anything? I assume a lot more will be evident once I remove the gray padding.I'll be certain to follow up with you! Thanks!
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Monday, June 6th, 2022 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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  • 18,907 POSTS
That is correct. You will see it but if I remember correctly that does affix to a support that is part of the door frame.

This part leads into the window track that is bolted to the inside of the door.

Yes. More than likely this is what lead to the window getting off the track.

Once this gets replaced, you most likely will be just fine for a while. You will want to buy a can of clear spray silicone. Then just spray it in the window channel that you can see and run the window up and down a handful of times. This will spread the silicone and lubricate the rest of the track and prevent this from happening again.

Then you will want to redo this 2-3 times per month. Use clear not white silicone as it makes cleaning up much easier.
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Monday, June 6th, 2022 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'
  • MEMBER
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I was able to pry the jammed rubber up and out of the door and cut it off at door level, allowing the window top to go up and down again. There is still part of the "guide" on the triangular piece, which still allows the window to seal. For now. The new seal will be here by this Friday, and I will follow up with you then. Just to be clear, I tightened the window track nuts down when I installed the speakers, as one of my windows rattled a little when I bought the car. Been solid up and down movement on both windows ever since (and they are still tight). At this moment, it does not appear as though the window has come off of the track, as it does go up and down properly and is not askew whatsoever, so fingers crossed. Thanks again, Kenny!
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Monday, June 6th, 2022 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. Yeah, it sounds like it could just need to be lubricated if the window is running slowly.

However, they will also need to be adjusted after you install the new piece just to be sure it is aligned.

I went ahead and attached that process as well.

Let us know how it turns out. Thanks for keeping us posted.
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Monday, June 6th, 2022 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
GOTTAKEEPMOVIN'
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
Hi again, I just wanted to follow-up and thank you again for the info on this repair! It was fairly uneventful once I removed the damaged piece and had the new one in-hand. The only thing I might add to our previous conversation, in case it clarifies/helps you or the next person in need of help, is that when installing the new one, you start by guiding the straight rubber part of the seal straight down into a metal track (or rail) that extends down the length of the rubber piece. There are no "clips" holding this piece on the inside of the door, it is simply the metal track/rail it glides into. Lowered the piece (with window halfway down) until the two nubs on the triangular portion could be snapped into place. Stock pieces indicated a small strip of double-sided tape also attached to the triangular piece, which I replaced. I removed the speaker (but not the gray felt piece!) And could simply reach straight up and feel that the piece had seated properly in the track. At that point, the remainder of the weather stripping is re-inserted around the door to complete the installation, sans putting the door back together. I hope this clarifies things a bit for you and can help someone else down the line! Like we discussed, much more became apparent with the old piece off of the car! Thanks a million! I recommend you guys to everyone!
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Oh wow. This is a great update. The Crossfires are not the easiest to work on, but I am so glad you got it completed and then even more so that you came and updated us.

This will definitely help others in the future. Please come back and thanks for recommending us. We are here to help so we love the additional support.
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
RENEE L
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 5:53 PM

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