Loose Vent Window Latch?

Topic: Loose Vent Window Latch? (Read 1854 times) previous topic - next topic

Loose Vent Window Latch?

November 23, 2006, 08:01:41 PM

I've had a lot of luck while working with my vent windows, so I thought I would do a quick write-up on some ideas I had.
If one or both of the latches on your vent windows have "play," this may be your answer.

Important:
Even though this appears to be a safe approach, there is always the chance of shattering the glass. Always take your time and use caution.

I got tired of the wobble in my vent window latches. Not only did it keep the window from sealing properly, but it lead to increased noise at highway speeds.

I started by removing the clevis pin from the latch. Some models may have an allen set screw - I'm not too sure.
While my first idea was to hammer out the pin, I quickly decided against it (for obvious reasons).
My technique is to take a nail or a pop rivet and force the pin out with pressure. By propping the rivet in the wire cutter opening on the pliers, I was able to have a reasonably sturdy method for pushing out the pin. You will want to use two hands for this.
Once the pin has been pushed far enough, the latch should come right off. Do this slowly, as there is a spring that will now be loose inside. Mine was covered in grease, so it stayed in the bolt hole of the main screw.
I suppose they had a good reason to grease it up, so you may consider adding some if yours is dry. It looks to be fairly heavy stuff... like wheel bearing grease.

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #1 – November 23, 2006, 08:06:26 PM

Once you remove the spring, you will notice that the hole in which it resides will accept an allen wrench. I believe it is a 7mm, but I used a Torx T-50 and it worked just fine. You may also notice how loose the entire assembly is. Soon it will be nice and tight.
I was going to tighten the bolt and put it back together, but I decided to try something.
I thought some Teflon tape may help it from backing out in the future. We will see over the next few months if I was right. If not, no big deal. It won't hurt anything.
After applying the Teflon tape, I threaded it back in and used the T-50 to gently tighten it. I can't imagine using more than 10 ft lbs on this thing... maybe much less. You may want to crank it down, but the risk for breaking the glass is just too strong.
Then just put the latch back together and enjoy your whistle-free windows!

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #2 – November 27, 2006, 10:12:57 AM

Thanks for the tip, Zach!

And BTW....how's that hangnail?

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #3 – November 27, 2006, 06:54:24 PM

Actually, I tore it on something while working on the car.
I need to take a break and let my fingers heal. I can't even play guitar right now!

I forgot to include something:

If your vent window itself is loose, it could be the hinge spring tensioner.
The passenger vent window on my car was loose when I bought it. I could open it up, but as soon as the car began to move the wind would just blow it shut. It wasn't a very effective "vent" window at this point.
After pulling the door panels and comparing the two windows, I saw that the passenger window was missing its spring hardware on the hinge bolt. This consists of a small spring (looks like the spring on the inner door handle mechanism, but it isn't), a retaining washer, and a nut.
After many years' use, the nut must back down the threads and shoot inside the door cavity, taking the spring and washer with it.
These parts were totally missing from the passenger door in my car.

I found an '85 Thunderbird at the boneyard which had vent windows. The glass was missing on one frame, so it was the ideal candidate for experimentation.

I discovered one major thing: It is possible to remove/install this spring hardware without breaking the glass. However, this pertains to the '85 Thunderbird and '86 Cougar that I worked on. I can assume that the '83 and '84 cars are identical, but I cannot guarantee it. I don't want anybody to break their glass!

I took a 1/2" wrench and worked my arm through the upper part of the door through one of the big holes. This put my hand/wrench right at the nut on the vent window hinge bolt.
By sliding the box-end wrench on and off of the nut, I was able to simply rotate the vent window with my other hand and remove the nut.
The window became easier to move back and forth. Eventually, the spring became loose on the bolt, but there were still some threads left for the nut. This meant that the nut wouldn't violently shoot off when it reached the end of its thread.

Installing the spring, washer and nut on the '86 was just as easy.
I assembled it all by hand and started the threads. Then, using the box-end on the nut, I simply moved the vent window back and forth to tighten the whole assembly.
Because this technique mimics the window's normal operation, the chance of stressing the frame is minimal. You can simply move it back and forth until it feels tight enough.

Note: You may want to use some grease on the bolt-to-door joint, as well as the retaining washer. Once I got the required tension on the hinge, the window screamed like a banshee. I guess all those years of being loose allowed some rust to get in there. :)

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #4 – December 23, 2006, 11:27:29 AM

I have new information on this topic.

The spring parts can be harvested from other Fox chassis cars. For example, the vent window hardware in the mid-'80s Ford LTD is nearly identical. In fact, it may be the same for all Fox chassis cars, but I can't say that yet. I'll attach an image to illustrate what I mean. One set of hardware is from an '85 Thunderbird. The other two sets are from two different LTDs.

Here is how the hardware is installed:
-The special washer goes on first. It separates the spring from the bottom mounting plate inside the door. The little notches face downward, into the spring.
-The spring follows next
-The nut holds it all together.

Try to work your arm through the big hole at the top of the door. This hole shows you the window guide bar, which is usually covered in grease. You just have to crank your entire arm through that hole and work your hand up to the bolt on the vent window.
After assembling the pieces onto the bolt and starting the threads, you can use the technique outlined in the above post to finish the job.

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #5 – January 06, 2007, 08:35:49 PM

Hey man, my vent window stays open on its own now thanks to all of this information! Woo-hoo!!

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #6 – August 14, 2007, 10:46:01 PM

This is just an update for the original post.

When I installed the latch bolt with Teflon tape, I was curious as to how long it would stay tight.
Well, this is my 9-month report for the vent window project.
The latches on my vent windows are just as tight as they were when I worked on them, and they've been used quite a bit since then.
As a reference piece for those who want to repair their loose vent windows, I stand by what I initially wrote. It has proven to be a solid and reliable fix.

Loose Vent Window Latch?

Reply #7 – August 15, 2007, 02:05:01 PM

Awesome!
This should be stickied or something.

I picked up some '83 Bird vent window doors at the junkyard, And the drivers vent was really loose.
Now i now how to fix it, Thanks man!. :hick:

Now i just need to fix the passenger...
Someone tryed to break into the vent window, And actually broke the weld loose from the little hinge at the top of the wing/vent window. :punchballs:
The tension is still nice and stiff though, Heh.