SAAB 900 Window Regulator Removal and Lubrication, Pt 1

Yesterday I finally took care of something on my car that I've been meaning to do for at least a year.  The car in question is my 1992 SAAB 900S, and the driver's side electric window has been getting slower and slower.  Since the weather will soon be cold, and I don't want my window to get stuck halfway open, I thought I'd take the opportunity of a decent day weather-wise to get the regulator off the car and lubricate it.

The 'classic' 900 is notorious for slow electric windows; in fact quite a few European cars of the 1980s and early 90s are known for this as well.  Aside: I've been window-shopping Mercedes W123 sedans and have found that they too have window issues.

This is a straightforward job - getting the regulator out is the most tedious part of the work.

At any rate, here we have our c900 door panel about to be removed.  There are two trim screws at the bottom of the door that need to come off first (see the arrows).

I actually discovered that the front screw and it's trim piece are missing!  I don't remember them falling off - mental note to get a new one.

Next, unscrew the door lock knob.

There is a screw in front of the inside door handle that holds the handle trim in place.  On earlier cars, it's a Phillips-head screw.  On later cars (such as mine), it's a Torx-head screw - I believe a T-15.

With the screw out, pull the trim toward the front of the car.  There is a molded hook on the back end of the handle that will come free from the door.

All through this process I kept thinking how nicely designed everything is.  This is a small case in point.

Pull the fabric trim down from the two clips at the top of  the door panel.

Then remove the clips.  These screws go into the door itself and help hold the door panel on.

The half-denuded door panel.  Almost there.

I took some of these shots to use as a reference in putting it back together if needed.

Now the plate that goes around the interior door release can come off. There are 4 screws that hold it on.

Note that there are two small spacer/plates here.  One is under the panel, and one is on the top side.

Next, release the door lock rod from the back of the latch. There is a clip that just pops off, and the rod comes out.

I kept all the fasteners and clips in a semi-tidy row on top of the dash to remember where everything came from.
After all the fasteners are removed, the door panel lifts off...

...and reveals the weather liner.

Now, the last car I had removed the door panels from was an MGB.  MG used a fabric liner which was glued to the door, and has to be carefully peeled back.

Imagine my surprise (and awe) when I saw this amazing liner made of molded plastic.  Welcome to modern cars!  I had to sit for a few minutes and admire this feat of car building.  (Although I suspect all new cars are like this).

Pull back the tape, and the liner comes right off.  There is some thick black tape/goo at the bottom helping to seal the panel - you can just carefully pull the liner up off it.

I've been to the Saab factory in Trollhattan - and seeing these hand-built touches such as the tape remind me of it.  Me no likey car built by robots, no sir.

The door panel and the weather liner are both off the car now.

Here's the part number sticker for the liner if you need to order a new one.

Now we'll remove the window regulator.