When replacing a window regulator, is it possible to adjust the window frame?

[cosmokramer]

So I finally found an a4 in my price range and pulled the trigger. Car runs great, looks great, all oem paint, every option that I wanted. Car has NO accidents, and I am sure of this due to having my auto body buddy inspect the car with me, as well as running a carfax and just using basic common sense.

But the driver's front door/window frame has a few millimeter gap when the door is closed. I know that the PO has recently replaced the window regulators on both front doors, and I also know that he locked the keys in the car and he used a coat hanger to pop the door switch (there are multiple scratches on the door switch from this ).

Is it possible that: A) the door/window frame was slightly bent when he jimmy rigged the coat hangar into the gap between the door. Or: B) The PO didn't put the door back together properly when he replaced the window regulator. All doors close with little effort, this is another way that I know that this is not due to tweaked body panels due to any type of accident.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

I imagine with the door card taken off and loosening the bolts that hold the upper portion of the widow frame to the lower, you will be able to adjust the gap you speak of.

Check out the window regulator replacement DIY , HERE and get to the middle section of the DIY. Up to the point where it reads
"Now you're ready to live the top half off the door off. The whole window assembly will life out. The top frame, Window Regulator and Glass."

There are a few bolts up top that need to be loosened and I think 2 - 4 down below ( again this is once the door card is off).

Where are you located Cosmo K? Not in the DC metro area are you?

[cosmokramer]

So I just have to remove those few bolts to realign the frame? I don't have to go through all that trouble to remove other parts in the door by following that DIY?

I am actually located in SoCal, not in the DC metro area. Though I am seriously considering moving out to the East for grad school.

[bclemons]

I'm just guessing, but the top back part of the window frame is probally sticking out a little. Yes? The adjustments for the window frame will probally not be enough to get the frame back into place. You will have to get someone to help you hold the door and you will have to manually push on the frame with the window down to bend the frame back into place. If you take the whole window frame out you will not have enough leverage to bend the frame back into shape. I have done this and have had good results. good luck.

[cosmokramer]

bclemons, yes the top back part of the window frame is sticking out a little--haha, how did you know?

So did you have someone hold the door open all the way while you bent the window frame? How much pressure did you have to apply? Is it possible to bent it so much that the door won't close properly? More details would be much appreciated, thank you so much.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

I'm just guessing, but the top back part of the window frame is probally sticking out a little. Yes? The adjustments for the window frame will probally not be enough to get the frame back into place. You will have to get someone to help you hold the door and you will have to manually push on the frame with the window down to bend the frame back into place. If you take the whole window frame out you will not have enough leverage to bend the frame back into shape. I have done this and have had good results. good luck.

Yea you will need 2 people for sure, and I had the same problem when realigning my window back up after doing the regulator install... it sounds just like what happened to me, and you will have to read the DIY to get an idea of what actually needs to be done but you wont be able to move that part where it wants to go (properly) without taking that ****** apart and pulling all those bolts.. That piece houses the actual window as well so trust me you will need another person for leverage and you will need to pull some of those bolts ( if you dont want to have to bend it back in place). Can you post a pic for us to see the problem?

[cosmokramer]

Wow, thanks for the help! You guys are pretty helpful here, this much is for sure.

I think I will go with the "bending it back in place" first because I REALLY don't want to take all that crap off in the door. Now that I see that I am not the only one with this problem, I am SURE that the frame is actually bent from the PO locking his keys in the car. There is chipped paint around the part where the window frame meets the car frame; I think he just bent the window frame enough to get a coat hanger or slim jim in there to hit the unlock switch.

I will try to get some pics of this tomorrow, its dark outside now...

[Scrwedtxboy31]

Yea def go for the bend my solution is a secondary measure if the first doesnt work, I'd def like to see what your seeing though