I recently renewed the front driver's window regulator using pattern parts from ebay. I was very happy with the result, as I spent £50 instead of the £150 the local garage quoted.

I am now starting to wonder if I should have used OEM parts, as when I close the window there is now a loud clicking from the door when it gets to the top. I think the motor shaft may be slipping in the plastic splines of the regulator. If so, it can only get worse until it stops working altogether. This has started a few weeks after the repair, it was fine to start with.

I seem to remember that you set the 'stop' position for the window by holding the button down for 3 seconds, which I think I did when I changed the regulator. I'd try again, but on the other hand I don't want the splines slipping for 3 seconds in case they strip altogether!

Can anyone advise me?

I've never had to fanny about with the stop position.

Are you certain that it is;

A) wound correctly around the spool

not fouling anything

C) has the correct tension on the cable

Ha...I guess you can't type B followed by ) then...

Could it be that you haven't got the right number of turns of wire on the drum and its just clicking across the guide grooves in the drum?

/\/\ The patterm regulator came prebuilt, so there shouldnt be a problem there.It wasnt one of those kit of parts

The regulator has now failed altogether, and the window wont move, accompanied by a nasty noise. I will strip it to have a look, but I am assuming the splines of the pattern regulator have stripped. Maybe the movement was restricted, but it all worked 100% until it didn't.

Very disappointed with the cheap pattern part not lasting, but I guess there's a reason why the OEM part costs so much more. I'm now looking at £75 for an OEM part, still cheaper than from the local dealer. Cheapest otion is a £12 parts kit, including the splined wheel, but I cant say I'm keen - fixing it twice is bad enough.

Edited 9 October, 201213 yr by MrDavo

FWIW, from TPS and INCLUDING VAT, the genuine regulator kits are only 54.45 for the rears. I wouldn't expect the fronts to be much more.

Total complete kit too including the window grip, just bolts onto your motor.

Which makes cheap aftermarket parts sound REALLY expensive.

Buy cheap, buy twice. I replaced one of my rears with a repair clip, and the clip didn't break in the same way, but the control wires pulled out after about 4 months.

I'm pretty much done with pattern parts. Apart from the likes of Gates cam belt kits, uprated water pumps etc...

Had a salesman at work sons bora in about 3 months ago, passenger regulator failed, we fitted a pattern part even after been told there was repair kits available for genuine one and sure enough it was back yesterday with window taped closed due to regulator failing again,