DIY Guide: Replacing Your 1996 Mercedes Benz Driver Side Window Bracket and Gear with Partsgeek.com

Is your 1996 Mercedes Benz driver side window stuck, slow, or making worrying noises? It might be time to replace the window bracket and gear. Faulty window regulators are a common issue in older vehicles, and luckily, with the right parts and a bit of DIY know-how, you can fix it yourself. This guide, brought to you by the experts at cardetailinguk.com, will walk you through accessing your Mercedes’ window regulator, so you can identify the faulty components and get your window working smoothly again. And when it comes to sourcing quality replacement parts like a 96 mercedes benz driver side window bracket and gear, we highly recommend Partsgeek.com. They offer a wide selection of parts at competitive prices, making them a go-to online retailer for car enthusiasts and DIYers. Let’s get started!

First, we need to remove the door panel to access the inner workings. This process is straightforward but requires care to avoid damaging any components.

1. Remove Door Panel Screws: Begin by locating and removing the five screws securing the door panel. You’ll find two hidden within the door handle assembly, one in the lower door pocket, one at the top right behind a small grommet (which you can pop off with your finger), and finally one in the door latch itself. Remember to remove the screw in the door latch and then pop off the small backplate to access it.

2. Detach Triangle Cover Plate: Don’t forget to remove the small triangle cover plate positioned above the door panel, near the side mirror. This usually pops off easily with gentle pressure.

3. Unsnap Door Panel Pins: With all screws removed, you can now carefully pull the door panel away from the door frame. Start at the bottom and gently work your way upwards, unsnapping the approximately nine pins that hold it in place. You’ll hear a popping sound as each pin releases.

4. Lift and Detach Panel: Once all pins are free, lift the door panel upwards. It hangs along the top edge of the door panel, so lifting it up and off will detach it completely.

5. Disconnect Wiring Plugs: Before completely removing the door panel, you’ll encounter two wiring plugs located near the window controls. These need to be unplugged. Push in the latches on each plug and gently pull them apart. These connectors can sometimes be a bit tight, so be patient and wiggle them carefully until they disconnect.

6. Expose Inner Door: With the wiring plugs disconnected, you can now fully remove the door panel, exposing the inner door components.

7. Carefully Remove Plastic Sheeting: The inner door components are protected by a plastic sheet secured with putty. Carefully peel back this plastic sheeting to access the window regulator and motor assembly. Work slowly and in small movements to avoid tearing the plastic or stretching it excessively. The goal is to detach enough of the plastic to access the necessary components without completely removing it. You’ll want to preserve the putty and plastic as much as possible for reassembly. Once you’ve lifted the plastic sufficiently to expose the opening in the door, use tape to secure it out of your way, preventing it from falling back down and hindering your work.

Now that you have access to the inner door, you can proceed to remove the window regulator and motor assembly.

1. Disconnect Wire Plug: Locate and unplug the wire plug connected to the regulator/motor assembly. This plug is typically found on the right side of the opening you’ve created in the plastic sheeting.

2. Remove Regulator/Motor Screws: There are eight screws in total holding the regulator/motor assembly in place. First, unscrew the three screws securing the motor itself. Then, remove the screw holding the lower part of the regulator slide, followed by the two screws on the upper part of the regulator slide.

3. Access Window Attachment Screws: The final two screws are a bit trickier as they attach the regulator assembly directly to the window glass. To access these, the window needs to be lowered to approximately the halfway position. This should expose these screws within the door opening.

4. Dealing with a Stuck Window: If your window motor is dead and your window is stuck in the fully raised position, you’ll need to manually release the window mechanism. First, remove the motor (the three screws you detached earlier). Once the motor is out, you can snap off the silver motor plate. This will reveal the cable spindle. Pop out the cable spindle to release the tension on the cable and disengage the motor’s hold on the window. After this, you should be able to manually slide the window up and down. Be extremely careful at this stage to prevent the window from suddenly dropping down.

5. Remove Remaining Screws & Regulator Assembly: After removing all regulator assembly screws, carefully push the window upwards and out of your working area. Use tape to secure the glass in the fully raised position once you’ve detached those last two screws connecting the assembly to the window. With the window safely out of the way, you can now maneuver the entire regulator assembly out of the door. A helpful technique is to start by moving the bottom of the regulator towards the right side of the door’s interior, then tilt the top of the regulator to the left. By angling it almost sideways, you should be able to slide the whole assembly, including the motor, out of the door.

Once the regulator assembly is removed, you can inspect the window bracket and gear. If these components are damaged or worn, Partsgeek.com is your best bet for finding high-quality, compatible replacements for your 96 Mercedes Benz. Replacing these parts can restore smooth and reliable window operation. Remember to reverse these steps carefully when reinstalling your new parts and reassembling the door. With patience and the right parts from Partsgeek.com, you can tackle this DIY repair and save yourself a trip to the mechanic.