Hi Jay, well the difficulty of job depends on what is being replaced- either new cables repairing old runners(more fiddly) or new runners complete ready loaded with cables and motor wheel. Any tips? Well a good bowl(magnetic is handy) for all the star screws. A good set of various size star screw pieces also. Firstly time- depending on individual and type of repair then obviously it will vary, but I viewed the first door as a learning curve and the second went much more swiftly, but it's one of those jobs to allow yourself a free day to do, It's a bit blury as it's been a while but my first door prob took about 3hours but the second under an hour...i think, then if you've no garage there's weather to consider. First job removing door card, this isn't too bad just a bit of a pain. My car was 07 Altea xl so obviously it may vary. First job the pull
Handle/ window switch panel, if my minds serves me correctly, the face of the switch handle pulls off to reveal 2 star screws, second the faux leather door panel simply pulls off, don't be afraid give it a good tug, I cannot remember what this revealed but I do remember plenty of star screws here and there. Then you need to remove the plastic rear cover behind the metal door open handle so the card will lift over it, Central locking mech may need disconnecting also, disconnect the wire for the window switch, remove all star screws in bottom of door and any which you can find. Also I don't think it's needed but it is handy to remove to door speaker, prize off mesh cover to reveal, yes more star screws!! Once you are confident all screws have been removed start by prizing the door card away bottom first, a large plastic lever/bicycle tyre lever is handy, anything which will lift the card without scratching the door is good, once you can get your hands under it you have to pull and lift slightly upwards at the same time, pulling it off can be a bit of a bitch but persevere, there are a lot of snap in clips and hook clips which require the upward lifting remove and also two hook type things. Once door card is removed you will see the window and runners, probably a load of frayed cables leading to a motor, quick tip take pics as you go it will
help remember how things went back. Loosen the two nuts the grip the window to the runner, carefully lift window pane and simply place inside door, there are more star screws holding the runners on, four I think? Remove these, then remove motor. At this point my memory is a bit sketchy, I cannot remember whether you have to take out whole motor or simply remove the cover and winding wheel, if you have new runners an cables then determine correct set for which door and fit in reverse of removal, I have an old thread on here which has a tuition video of runner repair, in which you will see the motor winding wheel and cover, it takes a bit of force to load it in just ensure it goes in correct way around, my tip here is to use a good blob of grease around the wheel and all cables, a preventative measure that seems to be overlooked in factory fitting of window mech, once you have fitted new parts operate the mech without the window in to ensure it is going up and down, when fitting the runners one of them has slight sideways adjustment or movement, do not fully tighten this runner, place window back on mech adjusting this runner if needs, the window mech may make a few strange sounds on it's first couple of runs but this can be normal, if the window is not lifting correctly then installation will need checking, don't forget to tighten the remaining runner when you are happy, also you have to ensure the window is placed in correctly so as it rises it's straight. Ultimately the difficulty of the job will vary as I said, I found it to be mildly challenging on first door but then very easy on second. I'm sorry I cannot give the process in greater detail as I do not have the car anymore to recall my absolute steps, car got written off a while back shunted in back, and I had not long had fitted a recon engine too !
but anyone who does it make sure you got a nice selection of star key pieces of various sizes lol
