C70 drivers door glass problem

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2017, 08:02

I'm curious and so have to ask the question as to what is the problem with drivers door glass faults. Not the glass itself but the mechanism.

There have been 3 C70's (2 coupe and one cab) that have come up for sale recently and all have the same issue. I recall looking at the door parts layout and seeing it is different to the regular 4 door cars. I know the drivers door guide on 4 doors are prone to breaking at the lower mount, and is it the same issue with the 2 door as it has bigger doors and the glass is un-framed? I'm also got to think there is a catch as to why these cars were not repaired. Could it be the parts are un-available now?

There is a C70 convertible for sale north of me with about 85,000 miles on it (a 98) which has this issue, but they claim not much else is wrong (where have I heard that before!!) and it is 'cheap' at about $1400 US.

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Feb 2017, 09:12

98-04 c70 uses cable window lift with the lift assembly also serving as the reinforcing structure for the door. A 98 would have shims for fore-aft as well as tumblehome (glass camber) adjustment plus the lower attachments being studs you turn and then hold and lock the nuts to hold the tumblehome setting there. The door mirror is also controlling the glass positioning.

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2017, 11:33

thanks jimmy57. Marvellous reply as usual. So why are people not just getting these fixed? Are they too complicated, does something expensive break, or are the parts un-available?

Thanks,

Neil.

Post by **rspi** » 02 Feb 2017, 14:29

Expensive. Most people don't know how to adjust them. My buddy just paid $450 to get one fixed.

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Feb 2017, 15:36

The window lift is available from some of the online volvo dealers for under $400. So the part is expensive. The labor most shops will charge is about $400 so that is expensive and if the car needs other things pretty soon it gets to be too much for those that don't DIY. I think there was an aftermarket source for the window parts but I don't see it listed in any of my usual parts sources' catalogs.
A common failure is one of the upper cable wheels breaks. They are plastic and the plastic cracks. I have known techs that owned these to replace the wheel with sliding glass door rollers that have the groove to ride the aluminum rib. There is a seller on Amazon with cable repair kits but it does not have the rollers shown in illustration of the included parts.

It is not thew worst window setup I have worked on but it ranks high. The mirror is removed, outer top rubber moulding, inside upper moulding, the lower adjuster studs, the nuts off the electric motor, and the upper mount bolts. The lift with glass then can be removed. The bolts holding glass to lift have been revised to have male torx ends so the glass can be loosened to adjust position without pulling lift assy out of door. The bolts are not expensive and are a Godsend. THe replacements will have a different way to adjust the fore- aft athe forward upper top mount point. I am unsure if they pack the revised "tolerance compensator" (I love mfrs parts names. this is a threaded adjuster. a stack of nuts and flat washers will work just fine).

Post by **sleddriver** » 02 Feb 2017, 18:05

I've recently noticed the glass in my drivers door has shifted towards the front as I now see 1/4" or so that was never covered with inside window tint. Not sure how this happened or when. I have had to remove several times the drivers door lock mechanism to fix it. Guess I didn't attach the rear felted window glass guide correctly. Or else a shim has come out.

Not knowing what the "cable guide wheels" look like, I wonder if a suitable substitute might be found on McMaster-Carr? They have everything. Might also be possible to turn a replacement from a Delrin rod on a lathe.

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 02 Feb 2017, 18:28

The one in Edmonton is only about a km from my house if you want a look taken at it

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2017, 19:57

Thanks for all the input guys. Definitely good reason why folks run a mile when they have this problem. Our friend up north of me in Edmonton is correct that the one I saw will be the one advertised near him. It is a 98 C70 convertible with about 85,000 miles on it. Roof is supposed to be good and works but other than the door window issue needs a little work. For sale for $1750 CDN (about $1400 US). If I had room to store it for a few moths I may have looked at it as the next project possibly.

Appreciate the offer to go and look at it for me skloon. I'll have to pass as the current project is not progressing fast enough. Still not finished the door panel re-gluing. 4 down, and 1 to go! Then I can get back to the rear brakes and parking brake cable replacement.

Neil.