🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Window Regulator Replacement

The rear window regulator is the track-and-cable assembly that lifts the rear glass up and down. When it fails, the window may fall into the door, move crooked, or stop moving. This job is very doable at home, but you must support the glass so it doesn’t drop and shatter.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours (one door)

Quick questions (so I guide you perfectly): Which rear door (left or right)? And did your new regulator come with the motor attached?

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Keep fingers clear of the regulator arms/cables while testing.
• ⚠️ Support the window glass with tape before loosening the clamps, or it can drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental window movement.
• ⚠️ Use safety glasses when drilling rivets (if equipped).

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Trim removal tool set
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Torx T20 screwdriver
• Torx T25 screwdriver
• Torx T30 screwdriver
• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 6" extension (1/4" drive)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Painter’s tape (2" wide)
• Magnetic pickup tool
• Inch-pound torque wrench (specialty)
• Power drill
• 1/4" drill bit
• Pop rivet gun (specialty)

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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 retaining clips - Qty: 1 set (recommended)
• Regulator mounting rivets/bolts kit - Qty: 1 (as needed)
• Butyl tape (moisture barrier adhesive) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and remove the key.
• Lower the rear window to about halfway if it still moves (this gives access to the glass clamps).
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Lay out a towel or blanket to protect the door panel and glass.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear door trim panel

• Use a trim removal tool set to carefully pry off the trim pieces hiding screws (typically near the door handle and armrest).
• Remove any visible screws using a Phillips screwdriver and/or Torx T20 screwdriver.
• Use the trim removal tool set to pop the panel clips free around the edges.
• Lift the door panel straight up and off the window channel.
• Disconnect electrical connectors using a flat-blade screwdriver to release tabs if needed. Don’t pull on wires—pull on connectors.

Step 2: Remove the moisture barrier (water shield)

• Carefully peel back the plastic moisture barrier by hand.
• If the adhesive is stubborn, use a trim removal tool set to separate it without tearing.
• Set it aside where it won’t collect dirt (you’ll reseal it later with butyl tape).

Step 3: Support the window glass

• Use painter’s tape (2" wide) to tape the glass to the door frame in 2–3 strips.
• If the glass is dropped inside the door, carefully raise it by hand and tape it in the fully-up position.

Step 4: Detach the glass from the regulator

• Look through the access holes in the door to find the two glass clamp bolts.
• Loosen/remove the clamp bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Once the glass is free, push it fully up and add more painter’s tape (2" wide) to secure it.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs) for the glass clamp bolts.

Step 5: Unplug and remove the window motor (if transferring)

• Disconnect the motor electrical connector by hand; use needle-nose pliers only if needed to press the lock tab.
• If your new regulator does NOT include a motor, remove the motor screws using a Torx T25 screwdriver (or Torx T30 screwdriver if equipped).
• Lift the motor straight off the regulator.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque to 3 Nm (27 in-lbs) for the motor screws.
• Keep the motor gear clean and dry.

Step 6: Remove the regulator from the door

• Remove the regulator mounting fasteners using a 10mm socket (some doors may also use 8mm socket fasteners).
• If your regulator is riveted in, drill the rivet heads using a power drill with a 1/4" drill bit. Drill only the rivet head.
• Use a magnetic pickup tool to retrieve any loose hardware inside the door.
• Maneuver the regulator assembly out through the large access opening.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs) for regulator mounting bolts.

Step 7: Install the new regulator (and motor if needed)

• Slide the new regulator into the door through the access opening.
• Align it to the mounting holes.
• Install mounting bolts using a 10mm socket, or install rivets using a pop rivet gun (specialty) if your door uses rivets.
• Torque: Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs) for mounting bolts.
• If transferring the motor, install it now using a Torx T25 screwdriver (or Torx T30 screwdriver if equipped) and Torque to 3 Nm (27 in-lbs).

Step 8: Reattach the glass to the regulator

• Reconnect the window switch temporarily so you can “jog” the regulator into position.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Turn the key to RUN and carefully move the regulator until the glass clamp lines up with the glass.
• Turn key OFF and disconnect the negative battery cable again using a 10mm socket.
• Lower the glass into the clamps and install/tighten the clamp bolts using a 10mm socket.
• Torque: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs) for the glass clamp bolts.

Step 9: Function test before reassembly

• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Plug in the window switch and motor connector.
• Cycle the window up/down slowly while watching through the access holes.
• If it binds or tilts, stop immediately and re-check regulator alignment and glass seating.

Step 10: Reinstall the moisture barrier and door panel

• Reseal the moisture barrier using butyl tape (press firmly all around).
• Reconnect all electrical connectors.
• Hang the door panel on the top lip, then press the clips in around the edges.
• Reinstall screws using a Phillips screwdriver and/or Torx T20 screwdriver.
• Snap trim pieces back on using a trim removal tool set.

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✅ After Repair

• Verify the rear window goes fully up and seals evenly against the weatherstrip.
• Check the door lock, speaker, and courtesy light (if equipped) for proper operation.
• Listen for clicking/grinding while moving the window; if present, stop and re-check mounting.
• Remove all painter’s tape (2" wide) from the glass.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $90-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $260-$490 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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