🔧 QX60 - Rear Window Regulator Replacement

The rear window regulator is the cable-and-track assembly that moves the rear door glass up and down. Replacement requires removing the rear door trim panel, separating the glass from the regulator, then swapping the regulator/motor assembly and reattaching the glass.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours (one door)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Keep fingers clear of the window tracks and regulator cables; pinch hazard.
• ⚠️ Support the glass with tape before unbolting it so it can’t drop.
• ⚠️ Turn ignition OFF and remove the key; don’t press window switches while hands are inside the door.
• ⚠️ If you disconnect the battery: use a 10mm wrench, remove negative terminal first, and wait 2 minutes before unplugging connectors.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Trim clip removal tool
• Plastic pry tool set
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Ratchet
• 10mm socket
• Extension, 6-inch
• Torque wrench (in-lb or low-range ft-lb)
• Painter’s tape, 1-inch
• Pick tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Magnetic pickup tool
• Work light

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear window regulator - Qty: 1
• Rear window motor - Qty: 1 (only if not included with regulator)
• Door panel retainer clips - Qty: 6-12 (as needed)
• Butyl adhesive strip (water shield sealer) - Qty: 1 (as needed)

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Park on level ground and open the rear door fully.
• Put the window about halfway down if it still moves (this usually lines up the glass clamp bolts in the access holes).
• Have painter’s tape ready to hold the glass up once it’s separated.
• Take photos before unplugging connectors.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear door trim panel

• Use a plastic pry tool set to carefully pop off the trim covers (typically near the inside door handle and armrest area).
• Remove any exposed screws using a Phillips screwdriver #2.
• Slide a trim clip removal tool behind the door panel and pop the panel clips free around the edges.
• Lift the panel upward to unhook it from the window ledge, then unplug the window switch connector using a pick tool to release the lock tab.

Step 2: Remove the water shield (vapor barrier)

• Peel the plastic water shield back slowly by hand.
• If the sticky sealer stretches, use a pick tool to help separate it without tearing the plastic.
• Stick the shield to itself out of the way so it stays clean.

Step 3: Support the door glass

• Use painter’s tape, 1-inch to tape the glass to the door frame (run several strips from outside glass over the top of the door frame to the inside).
• If the glass is down and the regulator is broken, carefully lift the glass by hand to the fully-up position first, then tape it.

Step 4: Separate the glass from the regulator

• Look through the door’s access holes and locate the two glass-to-regulator clamp bolts.
• Use a ratchet, 6-inch extension, and 10mm socket to loosen/remove the clamp bolts.
• Once loose, lift the glass fully up by hand and add more painter’s tape, 1-inch to keep it securely up.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)

Step 5: Unplug the window motor connector

• Locate the motor electrical connector.
• Use a pick tool to gently lift the lock tab (if equipped), then unplug the connector by hand.

Step 6: Remove the regulator (and motor if attached)

• Remove the regulator mounting bolts using a ratchet, 6-inch extension, and 10mm socket.
• If the motor is separate, remove motor bolts with a 10mm socket and transfer the motor to the new regulator.
• Carefully snake the regulator assembly out through the largest door opening. Use a work light to avoid catching cables on sharp edges.
• Torque on reassembly (regulator/motor bolts): Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)

Step 7: Install the new regulator

• Feed the new regulator into the door cavity in the same orientation as the old one.
• Start all mounting bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading, then tighten using a ratchet and 10mm socket.
• Finish tightening with a torque wrench: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)
• Plug the motor connector back in until it clicks.

Step 8: Reattach the glass to the regulator

• Remove some tape so the glass can lower slightly, then carefully lower the glass by hand until it sits in the regulator clamps.
• Install and tighten the clamp bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Final tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)
• Make sure glass sits evenly in both clamps.

Step 9: Function test before reassembly

• Temporarily plug in the window switch connector.
• Turn ignition ON and run the window fully down and fully up using the switch.
• Listen for clicking/grinding and watch for the glass tilting; if it tilts, loosen clamps with a 10mm socket, realign, and re-torque.
• Turn ignition OFF and unplug the switch again before reinstalling the panel.

Step 10: Reinstall the water shield and door panel

• Press the water shield back into place. If needed, add butyl adhesive strip so it seals all the way around.
• Reconnect all door panel connectors (switch, courtesy light if equipped) by hand.
• Hang the panel on the top lip first, then push the clips in around the perimeter.
• Reinstall screws using a Phillips screwdriver #2 and snap trim covers back on with a plastic pry tool set.

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✅ After Repair

• Run the rear window up/down 5 times to confirm smooth travel.
• Check the outer/inner window seals for proper contact (wind noise and water leaks come from misalignment).
• If auto-up/auto-down acts odd after battery disconnect: cycle the window fully down, then fully up and hold the switch up for 3 seconds.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.