My nearside rear window developed a problem yesterday and I was wondering if anyone has had the same.

 

If I try and lower the window, the glass only moves a couple of inches, but if I push down on the glass by hand then it happily slides down until it meets the "carrier".

 

In this position, if I press the up button then the glass happily glides up into position.

 

I've had a good look at NACKUK's excellent blog page regarding replacing the cable that moves the carrier and as mine goes up and down OK, I assume that the motor and cable are all fine.

 

My guess is that the clamps that hold the glass within the "carrier" have loosened and allowed the glass to "free float" in relation to the carrier, which I assume just means that I need to take off the door card to enable access to the clamp bolts (in the correct position as shown on the blog).

 

Any advice really appreciated, thanks.

 

From your description it sounds as if the nylon pin which holds the glass in place has either broken or come out.  You might find lying at the bottom of the door.

 

The cable mechanism moves a block up and down and the glass fits into a slot in that block.  Can't remember if it's a metal or nylon carrier block.

 

There is an approx 10mm nylon pin which fits through the carrier and through a hole in the glass, holding the glass in place.  There is no "clamping" involved.

 

The pin is a bit tricky to get back in....it's a two part item, an outer sleeve which fits in first and then a smaller pin which is an interference fit through the centre of the sleeve, expanding the whole thing and keeping it in place.

 

I've read that the way the factory does it is to assemble the two part pin into the carrier, then press the glass down on to it, or just use the motor to raise the glass and force the bits in place when it gets the window fully closed.  It can be done this way because the hole in the glass is a keyhole shape, open to the bottom edge of the glass.  Best done on a warm day to make the nylon a bit more flexible.

 

This would all have been so much easier with a photo or diagram!!

 

I'm convinced that is the problem.  Yes, it needs taking apart as in NACKUK's blog.  You need a bit of time and patience.

That's excellent, many thanks for the advice.

 

Hadn't realised there was a pin in there ...... or a hole in the glass for that matter.

 

Presumably the local VW main dealers might have the pin as I would assume that it's the same for a Passat?

Part number seems to be 6N0839511  (from www.partscats.info)

 

That hole looks to be just circular in the diagram, but I'm convinced mine is keyhole shaped with a slot slightly smaller than the hole, running down to the bottom edge of the glass as I described previously

 

Thanks again. Have ordered one up ( the part number checked out) at 44 pence .... and had to pay for it "there and then" over the phone as it was a "special order" .

 

Times must be hard for VW main agents       

As a part of my "annual preventative maintenance to avoid VAG c o c k ups" I spray all of the window runners (where the glass runs in the side channels) with silicone spray.

I think that minimising the mechanical loads on this crappy setup should prolong its life. 

 

rotodiesel.

I recon roto's secretly got a 140 with a rounded hex drive, seized pinch bolts, a wet and rotty servo, and a new form of life growing under the footwell carpet   

 

Back on topic - was the same on my Passat.  Fished the round dowel and pin out of the door and popped it back in.  Couldn't see why it fell out in the first place.  Ain't come out in the six years since.

 

Gaz

Thinking about it, it's not as bad a job as I first thought.  No need to remove the metal carrier plate for the window cable mechanism.

 

You just need to remove the internal door handle, a couple of screws, then unclip the operating rods and cables so you can remove the inner trim panel.

 

Then there is a 50mm ish diameter black plastic bung in the window carrier plate which can be removed to give access to the glass carrier and nylon pin.  You might need to raise or lower the window to line it up with the access hole.

 

If the old pin is still there it can be knocked out into the void in the door, then you can set about managing to insert the new one.  Hope you have small, dextrous fingers!

 

Your VW dealer should be having a good weekend on the profits from that pin.

Here's a nice explanation for the method...it's for replacing the lock, but the first part is all you need to do..Some good photos.

 

You need to register, but it's free and it's a very useful site as Superbs are almost identical to the Passats.

 

http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=57851