A friend of mine has a 2004 A4 Quattro 1.8T that has broken regulators on both of the front windows. She got a repair quote of $1,400 from a local shop, which is understandably more than she would like to spend just to fix a couple windows (especially when the car is only six years old).

I took the door panels off and found that the cable broke on the driver side and chewed up the pulley and the housing, and on the passenger side, it looks like only the clips are broken. I found plenty of places online that sell the entire regulator assemblies (Blauparts, ECS, World Impex), but the only repair kits I could find are on eBay (from Ideal AutoTeile in Istanbul). Has anyone used those? If you have, did they work?

It seems like there are readily-available repair kits for a lot of other Audi and VW cars, but for some reason, not for the A4's. I don't have an A4, but I've spent a lot of time working on my wife's A6, so I thought I would ask for some input on this one. I don't want to have to replace the entire regulator assemblies if I don't need to, but I don't want to waste my time on low quality parts either. Please let me know if you have any insight into this.

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't buy ANY automotive parts off ebay, they all suck. ECS regulators are decent quality that meet/exceed factory standards, which as you can see aren't that high when it comes to regulators......
Just follow the DIY i posted for the B6 window regulator and go to town.

 

That sounds like good advice. I can't say that parts from Turkey have a great reputation for quality. However, the English-as-a-second-language description on eBay says they're "top quality" and "100% suitable," so I don't know how they could be bad!

I read your DIY and you weren't kidding about having to pull really hard to remove the door panels! I broke every single plastic clip on the passenger side, but at least it will come off easier next time.

It would be one thing if it was my own car, but I don't want to take a chance on questionable parts on somebody else's, even if it will cost $250 more.

 

Yeah I agree with auditech. Be very careful when buying parts in ebay. They are either low quality or will not fit your car. I have had several experiences before like the unfitted window regulator kit and I swore I would not want to buy from untrusted sellers on ebay.. especially international shipping. It is best if you do the DIY posted here. Good luck with that pal!

 

Just came across this post. I started with my 98 A4 B5 front passenger window regulator 'out', duct taped to keep up.

Upon taking the panel off, found tons of pieces of green plastic. Puzzled together calling the dealers: "nope. $200 bucks please". No way.

Forum searches confirmed: no clips, just hole regulator. And a ton of 'ghetto fix' from zip tie to bastardize A6 clips (drill rivet drill).

Activated relatives in Germany, found supplier. Took a while to arrive. Installed. Bingo (ever since).

Now sensitized to the issue, ordered a handful for fellow forum colleagues. Gone in 60 second. More ordered. Gone.

Now I stock all available Audi and VW clips (and BMW, Saab, Volvo, Land Rover, Porsche, Ford Focus).

I currently work with 2 manufacturers, have tried (but found no difference) 2 different materials (one is supposed to be stronger).

The OEM ones (no OEM MAKES the clips; they are all manufactured by a handful of plastic extruders) lasted several years. If I have to pull the door panel of in another 5 years (unlike that anybody out there will even have that car after that time), so be it.

I agree with ebay for highly technical, complex parts (I learned the hard way that 'ebay turbos' are worth about what the metal recycler pays for the metal; ditto headers/manifolds).

But as far as the plastic clips: I cannot find or see a difference between the OEM ones I have pulled out over the last 8 months since selling the clips, and the ones I put in.

To my knowledge, none of my customers has yet replaced one (2 or 3 broke the clip when installing them, admitting to their own fault, and replace by me at no charge anyway).

In short: The clips on ebay work (mine as well as those from Turkey).

Unless more is messed up (cables maybe; much rarer; sometimes the drive pulleys; rarely the motor), the clips is a good money savings measure and easy enough for DIY.

I do NOT know how well the COMPLETE regulators from ebay work. The additional components (the rails, etc.) may or may not be of OEM quality; if not (thin gauge stamped sheetmetal can warp, which ALWAYS will cause the window to bind), buying a relatively cheap regulator vs. replacing the clips on the OEM regulator may NOT be good alternative (I am speculating only).

regulatorfix.com

 

Quick update: Now 1.5 years in the 'window regulator part' with a couple of thousand sold of the parts from my various manufacturers in Europe.

I had a handful (under 0.1%) clips that broke (during installation!), and one (1!) that failed after a short time (I assume misaligned regulator; but replaced free of charge certainly).

I had one bad batch (poorly formed out) but caught it before they went out.

The material (OEM) for most clips is POM, chosen for its superior wear characteristic and low coefficient of friction (the clip slide on metal rails).

Some more complex clips (particularly BMW clips) are made from ABS type material, chosen for its higher strength.

A few month ago I added the door lock repair kits to my inventory, with similar results.

As far as I can tell, there is no difference between the original supplied clips and the aftermarket clips, at least those from my manufacturers in Europe; obviously, I can speak for others.

Some had asked for 'upgraded' clips. While not convinced that it is necessary, I do offer for example for the Golf/Jetta IV the clip and 'bracket' in full metal version, and stock 'upgraded' clips (for test purposes) for B5 A4 front made from ABS (and 'composite' design clips for the Beetle, with main body from sturdy ABS and 'glide surfaces' from embedded POM, if someone absolute insists on 'better than OEM'.

ebay store: regulatorfix
Amazon brand: regulatorfix
website: RegulatorFix.com

email: info@regulatorfix