It's not necessary to remove the glass or regulator if only the motor needs replacing as long as you can remove the 3 bolts for the motor with out stripping the heads. (I used a #3 phillips head on a ratchet) Then loosen the 4 bolts for the regulator so you can remove and replace the motor through the speaker hole. You can also temporarily replace the regulator bolts with longer ones to make more wiggle room for the motor. I just did this for the first time and took me about an hour and a half.

@kristeemariage8947

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this tip. I too, only needed to replace the motor. After watching this video & reading comments, I was more than nervous to attempt this. Exactly as you said, I bought a little right angle ratchet at Harbor Freight for $2.99 and used #3 philips (which came with it). My dad also had an adjustable/extendable mirror which really came in handy. I replaced the bolts with longer ones, one at a time. From removing the door panel to reinstalling, it took me less than 45 minutes. I would have to say that this could not have gone any easier! Thanks again for your post!

@williamsmith71

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks MrMikewr. Your advice was spot on. I changed the window motor in my 2006 Forester in about an hour, taking my time. Thanks

@Mrcjhepburn

9 жыл бұрын

MrMikewr Thanks, replacing only the motor worked perfectly. After I bought the OEM motor ($171), I found that aftermarket can save you a substantial amount of money, those are about $60.With that said, I've never had good luck with non-OEM parts on a Subaru.

@jjseandxcefree

6 жыл бұрын

PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO :)

@richardmontano2701

6 жыл бұрын

Bro! Thank you for the tip. I was getting anxiety watching this video. I did exactly like you said and it came right out, took about 30 minutes total!

I just wanted to confirm that Tim's shortcut is surely the only way to go. Thanks for the post. My motor was all rusty, but I was able to pull it apart, free it up, grease it and now it's as good as, well, not new, but working just fine, Total cost, $0. Time? About 30 minutes to remove the motor, and about an hour to clean the rusted motor, and then about 15 minutes to reinstall.

Thanks to your video, I was able to get this done in about 3 hrs. Believe it or not, the rear two bolts loosened without the vice grips. The front one was the pain. Thanks a bunch for posting!!!

This job was not overly difficult. Watch other videos. Another video does this the smart way...bring the window down, unbolt the window, roll window up then use auto glass suction cups to keep the window up. Much easier way without removing the top door/window trim and using needle nose vice grips alongside the glass. Never replaced a window regulator but I’m handy with tools and can do alternator swaps and such. Beginning to end, taking my sweet time job took me just over an hour. If you know tools and are patient, this job isn’t not too complicated. Like I said WATCH MULTIPLE VIDEOS AND TAKE AWAY BEST TECHNIQUES FROM EACH!!!

@MarvinDR7

5 жыл бұрын

can i buy the motor only or i have to buy the whole thing?

Thanks for the info.You saved me some time.I am getting ready to tackle this window regulator.My job is a little more difficult because I am pulling one regulator out of one car and then install it on my car.I have two 2003 Subaru Forester.You are right.This cars are a lot of fun.Thanks

Ebay whole assembly >$50 includes Motor and Bracket. Motor alone is $44 bucks. In my situation both drivers and passenger window was stuck in up position. I removed speakers and like others stated used a number 3 Phillips (huge) to break the 3 screws loose. I placed a screw driver in one of the door handle holes to keep the window up while I worked. Simple. 35mins max. Due to re treading screw on proper holes blind!

Shortcut: don't remove the window or tracks if the motor is bad. Remove just the motor by removing the three Phillips screws and loosening the 4 regulator bolts to allow the motor to release. NOTE: the screws are #3 Phillips, so using a standard #2 Phillips bit will strip them!!!

A further trick to getting the bolts out of the window is to buy (or use your own if you already have one) the tool which loosens a cutting disk from an angle grinder. The tool has two protusions on a flat metal bar. These protrusions fit into the holes in the same threaded washer that the presenter talks about. It does the same job of holding that metal threaded washer he talks about and is made of thin steel so it fits easily down the outside of the window allowing you to stop the washer turning in a similar manner to the vice grips. Much easier than vice grips and you may have the tool already if you are a handyman. Note some slight filing of the tool may be needed to get it to fit the protrusions. Hope this helps.

@rogerhazen3664

7 жыл бұрын

pic of suggseted tool?

@Rob-fx2dw

7 жыл бұрын

Roger - You could easily google the words "angle grinder spanner" or 'sngle grinder wrench' and see what I mean.

@rogerhazen3664

7 жыл бұрын

Rob Mews I didn't have any trouble replacing window motor last night. I even pulled the working motor out of a wreck door I had and the whole job was probably two hours, with pulling the glass and not tearing the plastic haha.. it was easier than I anticipated but just as tedious as I thought take your time do a good job is important on this one. pulling the glass is unavoidable IMO if doing motor swap, but pretty easy. also. you can just roll the window down to get to those 3 bolts easier(to remove the window) I was able to hit them with a DeWalt impact drill and didn't have to clamp behind them. I put them on by hand tho ofc. the gear on my motor stripped out or something my window was just falling into the door on its own. all the tracks were good and lined up.Lastly, I did not notch the new one I installed like you suggested...just temporarily plug in window switches and roll the window down until u can get to them easier, with a socket even. this worked great for me and made the process seem easier.

@Rob-fx2dw

7 жыл бұрын

Roger - It was the video taht suggested the notch be cut in the bracket. Not me, but I have done a few windows and some of the bolts are too hard to undo and do require quite a bit of force so the nut on the exterior side of the glass has to be held either with a multi grip spanner (not easy) or with the device I suggested. The time taken depends on things being stuck sometimes complicates the procedure. A friend of mine who worked in the trade agrees that Subaru's are one of the most time consuming to replace the window mechanisms on and regularly gave him a headache so to speak. Yeah - Rolling the window down to get to the bolts when re installing is just the way to go by temporarily re connecting the controls to operate the new motor. Makes things a lot easier. The hardest part is getting the window out if it is stuck in the up position.

@rogerhazen3664

7 жыл бұрын

I used a DeWalt Impact 20v drill and it puilled the nuts off really nicely without holding the 'nuts'. Maybe this wouldnt work so well on every car, but the impact drill really does a good job slipping those off for ya, and reinstalling without a 2nd tool just maybe finger to keep it from spinning till it snugs up.

After about a hour of fighting with my window I decided to look up some info and see why it was being such a bear. This video seems to have answered my questions. Now it's time to go see if I can do this without breaking anything. lol

My 03 Forester's window motor was seized up. This is my first time ever messing with anything window related and I found it pretty simple after getting a feel for necessary steps. Once I got the door card off, I grabbed a spare 12v motorcycle battery (not ideal for everyone) and tested it at the green connector (seized motor didn't work). I also replaced 3 of the regulator bolts with longer 10mm import bolts (from a festiva) And I did not mess with replacing the top bolt that is above the spring - just needed to loosen. There are a lot of helpful comments here and it may have already been mentioned - but as long as you don't remove the top bolt and the left bolt (replacing left bolt is what I did) you don't really need to go with longer bolts for the two by the speaker. And as long as you leave the top left pair loose, you can push the regulator around to realign it - you don't need to work the motor to lock it in or whathaveyou. In case anyone doesn't understand the talk about the bolts, loosening those two bolts (left) and removing the two on the right allows you to push the regulator away from the part of the door you see so that the motor gear can slip out. And in case you forget which way you got the motor out, the back of the motor goes in against the part of the door you see (like where the big round indent is shaped out). The motor bolt holes are up 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock. And a mirror is PRICELESS for making it easier to get the motor out and in. I used the 3 short 10mm bolts (from the front side of the door) on the motor - no more #3 phillips. Another thought, I took off the entire plastic barrier.. you really only need to get to the speaker hole and the big hole on the left - you could just fold it up and stick it to itself so it is out of the way - just don't stick all of it together cuz it might be just as hard to get apart. And I also rolled up and down the window with the battery to make sure that the bolts wouldn't interfere with the regulator. And I snugged up the bolts and then moved the window up and down, then snugged more, repeated once more to tighten. It's really quite simple, you guys and gals will do fine.

@cawalther

9 жыл бұрын

And I didn't cut myself on anything metal related.. but happened to slice my finger pretty good on the tweeter cover the 2nd time I removed it. Also, I had a hard time getting the switch board to come undone from the door card, so I removed the connectors. I also undid the lock and door release cables - they're very easy to reinstall. Removing the door latch from the door card is harder, imo. There is actually a video here on youtube that helps with removing the door card, haven't watched it but it may be worth someones time to check it out.

Hi, I have taken from the NET and in particular from Utube much know-how but the advise below with the idea of longer bolts to help retain the regular while removing the motor was brilliant. So I thought I need to give back here. At first I thought well here is everybody talking against a mechanic but in the end the advise was correct. I had to do it in stages though because I was not sure if my old Subby had faulty electrics or a motor. So I first checked the wiring diagram and the POS and NEG 12V on the green connector while working the up/down window switch..all good. I then undid the motor with a Philips no3...believe it or not it is....mounted a No 3 in a Standley socket set wrench...(small one)..and with a little jerk the 3 screws came loose. I then did the extended bolt trick on the 4 fasteners (one by one) and then removed the motor. about 45-60 min including the trimming etc. The motor was smelly and turned stiff and had traces of rust. Bought second hand, they sell in Aus with the regulator so you can get a good look how it all fits together. I made a number of pics inside the door of the setup before I removed the motor (bless smartphones) which also helped to orientate me. I connected the 'new' motor loose at first to the electrics to ensure it was working with the door controls...(it keeps turning and does not stop either way...I assume the overcurrent when it reaches the end, cuts the motor out, when mounted in the regulator). Probably the reason it has no fuse in the circuit. Fitted the motor as best with not too much force. Changed the original bolts back one by one. Tightend up the motor with socket wrench again. Tested..worked perfect. I put everything back again...my Forester keeps amazing me..it is so well engineered. I would say another 30-45min. Thank you very much everybody for sharing.....you saved me many hours and I hope these couple of lines adds further insight. Cheers

I did it in 20 mins and it was my first time doing it, you went to far saying it’s 3 hrs you scaring people lol

@markj7604

4 жыл бұрын

Then you were lucky... I doubt you actually did it in 20mins though

@dusdincobain1191

Жыл бұрын

@@markj7604you’re right. Always trust a guy who makes a living on fixing cars when they say it’s labor intensive and never do it if you haven’t done it before Hahha. You wouldn’t be on this video if you’ve done it before lol

Most Subaru owners only need the window motor replaced. Its about 30 minute job, and I got the motor for $45 plus shipping at Rockauto.

That is what distinguishes a real pro from a talented amateur-- the ability to figure out how to do the hardest jobs. Thanks for the video, inspiring.

I found multiple howtos where you don’t have to remove the exterior window trim to get a vice grip on washer to disconnect regulator from window. My 3 bolts came right off came right off. Easiest part of job. Furthermore the back part in f trim is held down by a tab fastened by Phillips screw. I bought myself another 30-60 minutes of work.

2000 subaru impreza passenger side went down and wont go back up can hear motor clicking any ideas?

what size are the regulator bolts (not length but circumfrence?)

Im looking for someone to tell me how to remove the plastic exterior panel on the outside of the door, the bottom one that runs along the door. Mine has been caught in the body of the car due to a dent on the fender and that casued it to be bent and now catches the fender if I open the door....I need to remove it and perhaps bend it back into shape so it clears the gap

I have a 2003 Forester with the same problem. Its a nightmare. Could you do a detailed video of how to replace it because i have no choice but tot do it myself?

So I got the door panel off before realising what a nightmare job this is. Now I'm turning to the internet for help Window went down fine this morning but now won't go back up. The motor still makes noise in both directions but no window movement. And like something had become disconnected inside. Any ideas?

So I got the door panel off before realising what a nightmare job this is. Now I'm turning to the internet for help Window went down fine this morning but now won't go back up. The motor still makes noise in both directions but no window movement. And like something had become disconnected inside. Any ideas? Seems like I'm up shit creek

I hope Subaru has simplified the system for the newer models - had to have cost more to install at the factory.

My window regulator is broken and the window is stuck with about 1" of opening at top. I can't do a complete repair right now so i just want to close the window all the way until i can do a full repair. Is there a half a$$ way to just close the window without doing a full regulator replacement? Thanks so much!

Thank you, looking forward to doing this -_-

this looks tough! I am on my way to portland with this problem. are you still in business?

I'm about to replace motor and regulator in a 2004 Subaru Outback. Any idea on whether I can expect this "Pain" you speak of or is it different? Thanks!

@2stroketurbo

8 жыл бұрын

+Caleb Bridges Legacy Outback's are easier ....lucky you !

this helped but its not that bad, it took me about three hours. the only thing i can suggest is take pictures with your phone, it makes reassembly much easer if you know where it gos. 😮

Thanks for the video, I would like to fix mine but it's a pain in the ass since I don't know how to make it. You should have made a step by step video!

How much would this job cost?

Does NOT address the MOTOR + a little too yakky...

Don't listen to this video. I haven't really worked on my car at all besides some simple stuff and I was able to fix my window relatively easily. I just ordered a new motor (without the whole regulator) and was able to swap that out without removing my window or regulator. There are a couple other videos on here that show you how to do it. Good luck!

@mj12eben

11 ай бұрын

Ok if you can unscrew the motor inside the door cavity. Otherwise the whole regulator has to come out

Removed my door glass and regulator 30 mins to find cog on motor is stripped. 125 aud for a new one...

What a crazy setup. Stupid design like that can give a car manufacturer a bad name that sticks...

well i had to do this today... but just the motor, the regulator was still good. anyway if this happens to you and you need only the motor do not remove the regulator and glass. loosen the 4 bolts around the spring in the regulator and sneak the motor out.

Hey,i see @1:43 in the Mirror you still have that red RENAULT 5 LE CAR - you made a review of it about 1 year ago and I thought you didn't have it anymore

@2stroketurbo

10 жыл бұрын

it came back . Good eye !

Honestly was expecting this to be really hard, but after I got the panel off and the glass out the whole job took around 1.25 hours including running to get parts

when the motor died on my dad's '04, the mechanic told him that it would be easier to replace the entire door with a good used complete door w/glass that works >_

@2stroketurbo

10 жыл бұрын

you gotta be kidding me !

@fabulousprofound

10 жыл бұрын

2stroketurbo probably the same mechanic who gave the first quote to your customer...

Can you not get to those screws through the openings in the door panel? Working on a 2005 Forester, fleanine gets to his with the window rolled down: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fqSb0Jl-YNHRgpc.htmlm

that's why it's better to have a manual window sometimes - Makes me Wonder if i should trade my 2010 RENAULT CLIO II CAMPUS for a more basic DACIA SANDERO with no electric Windows or other unecessary Equipment on it - Too many electronic devices on cars nowdays

@2stroketurbo

10 жыл бұрын

Manual windows are no longer offered on most cars nowadays

@Le_Rennais

10 жыл бұрын

2stroketurbo Yep,except on few cars like the very basic 2014 Dacia Sandero 2 II 1.1 16V with no electric Windows,no central locking as standard - (i've just checked on the internet)

@2stroketurbo

10 жыл бұрын

I think all USA cars now have power windows std.

@metatechnologist

9 жыл бұрын

Yup, but less to go wrong. But all new cars are filled with stuff now.

I've got an 03 forester in the shop right now and I've been watching all of the youtube videos on this and I keep saying to myself "self it's just the motor that is bad, there's just 3 #3 phillips heads holding the motor to the regulator. There has to be a better way to do this, the window is stuck in the up position so all I need to do is chock the window to keep it from falling and loosen the regulator bolts enough to pull the motor out." I used a 1/4 gear wrench and a #3 phillips bit to break the motor screws loose. My little mirror and a LED headlamp made it easy to see the internal parts. So @2stroketurbo do you see anything wrong or dangerous with performing this task this way?

@2stroketurbo

8 жыл бұрын

+Tim Dove the factory used judicious amounts of locktite on those regulator to glass hardware bolts, do it any way you can to get the job done, but, I must ask, " do you feel lucky ? "

@timdove6317

8 жыл бұрын

+2stroketurbo The only luck I've ever had is bad luck sir but I've never let that stop me. My boss thinks it will work so I guess I'll give it a shot. Thank you for your time.

@timdove6317

8 жыл бұрын

+2stroketurbo It worked very well without taking the glass out but again the window was already in the up position, You might want to try it that way next time and save yourself a lot of time and struggle again thanks for your reply and have a good day.

@eddymckenzie1486

7 жыл бұрын

Tim Dove

I replaced my window motor but my engine still won't start what should I replace next?

Mr 2stroke seems to be a bit gloomy. There are plenty of videos showing how to replace the window motor on slightly less old Foresters (2005, 2006) and the comments indicate that it's an under 1 hour job, and that you don't have to replace the lift mechanism if it's just the motor that's faulty. Also, ChrisFix has a video where he replaced the window motor on his Hummer - not directly relevant to the Forester but it shows how all the parts go together which is useful.

Ok so I got the did panel off before realising what a bitch of a job this is and having to turn to the internet for help. My window went down fine this morning but when it came to putting it back up, it just won't go up, the motor still seems to make noise when I press the switch in either direction but there's no movement of the window. Seems like something internal had become disconnected somehow. Any ideas anyone? Since the window is stuck in the down position I'm pretty sure I'm screwed...

Took my speaker out and changed the motor through the hole, takes around 20 minutes.

Hi guys, actual i take the regulator off and clean the regulator motor, 1st time i get the regulator in 15 minutes, and put back in 30 minutes, you don't have to take the window glass off, you gust gonna take the bolts. thats it.

@metatechnologist

9 жыл бұрын

Could you explain this better? Where is the regulator motor?

@Grno1984

9 жыл бұрын

i'm so sorry, but my english not so good to explain better way, do you read the manual? in manual showing the right way to take off glass and regulator itself, first you gonna take the glass of, but not from outside, from inside you have a little plastic black cover in left top corner, take that off, then you gonna see the glass bolts, take the bolt off, then you should take down glass all the way, with power. and you see other bolts, thane that bolts off, an take the glass off, than you have to take the regulator bolts, and take regulator off. thats it. if you have a car repair manual, you can read it and do your self. its a easy,

@Grno1984

9 жыл бұрын

if you don't have, i can send you glass part manual,

PS you need to change video title, you're not changing the motor, you're changing the regulator !

I own an `03 Forester 2.5 XS. About a year before selling it to me, my mother (original owner), took it to a window shop to have the front passenger side window regulator replaced. They couldn't/wouldn't do it. Said the bolts, through the glass, were seized and it couldn't be done without replacing the glass as well. So now in order to close the window the whole way, without the engine running, you have to actually have the door open. Sometimes you have to pull up on the window to help it along. Pain in the ass.

@2stroketurbo

10 жыл бұрын

sheesh ! no wonder I've gotten a lot of feedback on this

Thanks for the video. I ended up using this fellows video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pKNm07yvgqvUj7w.html to simply swap out the motor. Cost me $60 and a couple of hours of time. No need to mess with the whole regulator assembly.

What do U mean, the most advanced. It is the most fucked up - plain and simple ! :-(

Subaru said $700 to do the job... 😂💀😭

I do not know what kind of mechanic are you??? looks like you need a mechanic to show you how to do it... you talk too much than you do work ... I did it in 30 minutes ...

Fantastic waste of my time

Ok so I got the did panel off before realising what a bitch of a job this is and having to turn to the internet for help. My window went down fine this morning but when it came to putting it back up, it just won't go up, the motor still seems to make noise when I press the switch in either direction but there's no movement of the window. Seems like something internal had become disconnected somehow Any ideas anyone? Since the window is stuck in the down position I'm pretty sure I'm screwed...

Ok so I got the did panel off before realising what a bitch of a job this is and having to turn to the internet for help. My window went down fine this morning but when it came to putting it back up, it just won't go up, the motor still seems to make noise when I press the switch in either direction but there's no movement of the window. Seems like something internal had become disconnected somehow Any ideas anyone? Since the window is stuck in the down position I'm pretty sure I'm screwed...

Ok so I got the did panel off before realising what a bitch of a job this is and having to turn to the internet for help. My window went down fine this morning but when it came to putting it back up, it just won't go up, the motor still seems to make noise when I press the switch in either direction but there's no movement of the window. Seems like something internal had become disconnected somehow Any ideas anyone? Since the window is stuck in the down position I'm pretty sure I'm screwed...