1985 Celica Window Problem

I've got a problem with my 1985 Celica trunkback. When I reach speeds of
over 60 miles/hour / 100 km/hour, the windows are pushed away from the
seals. This becomes progressively more pronounced as you go higher in speed.
You really have to crank the radio to hear it. You also get wind whipping
through the top of the cabin, which isn't fun in an Alberta winter. And if
its raining at the wrong angle, or if you go through an automated high
pressure Simoniz wash, you can get water in the cabin. I've put up with it
for the last five years, but I want to get it fixed, assuming the cost isn't
more then my baby is worth Have any of you had experiences with this
issue? The seals on the doors don't look cracked, but would replacing them
help? Or is it a matter of tightening the window supports inside the door?
Or am I SOL? Thanks.

On Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:36:34 +0000, CSL wrote:

> I've got a problem with my 1985 Celica trunkback. When I reach speeds of
> over 60 miles/hour / 100 km/hour, the windows are pushed away from the
> seals. This becomes progressively more pronounced as you go higher in
> speed. You really have to crank the radio to hear it. You also get wind
> whipping through the top of the cabin, which isn't fun in an Alberta
> winter. And if its raining at the wrong angle, or if you go through an
> automated high pressure Simoniz wash, you can get water in the cabin. I've
> put up with it for the last five years, but I want to get it fixed,
> assuming the cost isn't more then my baby is worth Have any of you
> had experiences with this issue? The seals on the doors don't look
> cracked, but would replacing them help? Or is it a matter of tightening
> the window supports inside the door? Or am I SOL? Thanks.


You don't mention, power windows?

Either way, the adjustment should be similar. You will have to remove the
door panel. Remove two large screws from the door handles (That you grab
to close the door; they're under color-keyed covers) and the screw from
the shroud behind the handle you grab to open the door. Then...it's been
over 2 years since I did this, so bear with me...I believe that's all the
screws. Mine had an additional screw near the front bottom of the panel,
but I think the original owner 'added' those...

Have a good look round to see if there are any more screws. Remove the
covers from the mirrors by grasping and pulling. The snaps get brittle, so
they may break; black RTV will help if this happens. If there are no more
screws, grab the bottom of the door panel and GENTLY pull. The retainers
will snap out of the door. They may snap. For a whopping $6 you can get a
tool at Autozone that you can stick behind the panel where the snaps are
and pry them out gently.

When all the snaps are free, pull the bottom of the door panel out towards
you SLIGHTLY and wiggle it up. The panel will unseat from the window
openeing. Remove any wiring for windows and the red light at the rear of
the panel and set aside.

IIRC, on this car there is a piece of metal that looks like a flat spoon
with some felt on it. Where this adjuster is, on the inside of the door
panel there will be a 10mm bolt. This move the window towards or away from
the seal. There should be two of these; play with them until the window
seats.

If not, there should be two 10mm bolts on the inside door panel somewhere
right behind where the grab handle was. These are a pain to get right;
they adjust up and down and move the window up and down or tilt it
forwards/backwards. Between these adjustments you should be able to get
the window where you need it. Also look to see if the inner panel is bent
or just getting 'weary' and adjust with a rubber mallet as required.

Replace the door panel after you have tested the window several times...

Which model do you have? I had a GTS that was a lot of fun to drive. Even
with a bad motor it hit 110 on the highway!

Good Luck!