94 safari 8 passenger van, difficult manual window cranks

[metalcutter]

94 safari 8 passenger van, manual window cranks
Driver side window is stiff to wind up and down.
When it rains the driver's window cranks up and down almost as easily as the passenger side window, so I'm assuming that the rain water reduces the friction in the window channel.

So assuming I'm correct, what is the correct lubricant to use?
If I'm not correct, what is the fix?

TIA

[doyoulikeithere]

never experienced that, so, just a guess....
I would look at the condition of the wide rubber piece that wipes against the window all the way across the bottom.
Maybe fix or replace that if it looks like it is cracked, hardened & broken, holding the glass back. Does it wipe clean when you roll it down then up?
I suspect that some of the rubber trim is rolling under, and pushing up against the glass when you roll downwards. Rain will lube it enough that the rubber will slide rather than get rolled under.

Good Luck Bro.
keep us posted eh?

[oldsmoker]

I have encountered this problem on many different vehicles over the years. The best and most effective fix has always been to use some silicone spray from most autoparts stores.

Make sure to get one with the red straw, you will need that!! get the window would all the way down, and using the straw, direct the silicone into the rubber window "track" that is at the front end of the door, as you wind the window up, the glass rocks forwards ever so slightly, pushing the edge of the glass against the front track more than the rear track. the opposite tends to happen when winding down (this is what i have seen on most vehicles due to the way that the linkage works)

Spray both front and rear tracks, with LOTS of silicone, wind the window up and down to work the lube into and along these tracks and along the glass edge, if its feeling better...wind it back down and spray more.

this is a good way to make electric widow motors last longer by reducing drag!

[metalcutter]

Your fix makes sense, I've heard that silicone spray eventually drys out, so I guess it's a case of "repeat as necessary"

[oldsmoker]

yes, it will need to be re-done periodically, let us know if you have success!

[metalcutter]

I did the silicone spray the other day just after it stopped raining and the window was a lot easier to crank.
It was dry overnight and it has helped quite a bit the real test will be after a few dry days, but I think that it's all good !!!


Thanks.

[metalcutter]

A follow up, the one good application of the silicone spray had done the trick, all's good.

[astroturf]

Good to hear MC

Thanks for the follow up

Jim