🔧 Forester - Rear Window Regulator Replacement

Replacing a rear window regulator on your Forester means removing the rear door trim panel, supporting the glass, unbolting the regulator, and installing the new regulator assembly. The window regulator is the scissor or cable mechanism inside the door that moves the glass up and down.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours per rear door

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before unplugging rear door electrical connectors.
• ⚠️ Support the rear door glass before removing regulator bolts; unsupported glass can drop suddenly.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves because the inside of the door has sharp metal edges.
• ⚠️ Do not place your fingers inside the regulator tracks while testing the motor.
• ⚠️ Keep the water shield intact; it prevents water from entering the cabin.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3-inch socket extension
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Plastic trim removal tool set
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Painter's tape 2-inch wide
• Suction cup glass holder (specialty)
• Torque wrench inch-pound capable
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear window regulator assembly - Qty: 1 per side
• Rear door trim panel clips - Qty: 3-6 recommended per side
• Butyl sealing tape - Qty: 1 roll

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Forester on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Move the rear window to about halfway down if the motor still works. This lines up the glass bolts with the access holes.
• If the window does not move, you can still do the job, but you may need to gently move the glass by hand after the panel is removed.
• Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
• Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Butyl tape is a sticky black sealing strip used to reseal the plastic water shield to the door.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

• Open the hood and locate the battery.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Lift the negative cable off the battery post and place it away from the battery post.
• Black cable is negative.

Step 2: Remove the Rear Door Handle Screw

• Open the rear door you are working on.
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently open the small screw cover behind the interior door handle.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw behind the cover.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Door Pull Screw

• Look inside the rear door pull pocket.
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to lift the screw cover if equipped.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the screw inside the pull pocket.

Step 4: Release the Rear Door Trim Panel

• Start at the lower edge of the rear door panel.
• Use a plastic trim removal tool to pry between the door panel and the metal door shell.
• Pop the trim clips loose one at a time around the bottom and sides.
• Once the clips are loose, lift the panel straight upward off the window ledge.
• Do not pull the panel away hard because wiring and cables may still be attached.
• Work slowly around each clip.

Step 5: Disconnect Door Panel Connectors and Cable

• Hold the panel close to the door.
• Use your fingers to unplug the rear window switch connector.
• If needed, use a small flathead screwdriver to gently press the connector lock tab.
• Release the interior handle cable from the handle lever by hand, if the cable stays with the door panel.
• Set the door panel on a clean soft surface.

Step 6: Peel Back the Water Shield

• The water shield is the clear or white plastic sheet stuck to the inside of the door.
• Use a plastic trim removal tool to gently separate the butyl seal from the door.
• Peel the shield back only as far as needed to reach the regulator and glass bolts.
• Do not tear the shield; it must seal again during reassembly.

Step 7: Support the Rear Door Glass

• If the glass is halfway down, use painter's tape 2-inch wide to tape the glass to the upper door frame.
• Run several long strips of tape from the outside glass, over the top of the door frame, and onto the inside glass.
• Use a suction cup glass holder to hold the glass steady if you have one.
• If the glass is stuck down, lift it by hand while wearing mechanic gloves, then tape it fully raised.
• Use more tape than you think.

Step 8: Detach the Glass from the Regulator

• Look through the rear door access openings for the bolts or clamps holding the glass to the regulator.
• Use a 10mm socket, 3-inch socket extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen and remove the glass mounting bolts.
• Make sure the glass remains taped securely in the fully raised position.
• If the bolts do not line up with the openings, temporarily reconnect the battery with a 10mm socket, plug in the rear window switch, move the regulator slightly, then disconnect the battery again.

Step 9: Unplug the Window Motor Connector

• Locate the window motor connector on the regulator assembly.
• Use your fingers to press the connector lock tab and unplug it.
• If needed, use a small flathead screwdriver gently on the lock tab only.
• Do not pull on the wires.

Step 10: Remove the Old Regulator Assembly

• Use a 10mm socket, 3-inch socket extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the regulator mounting bolts.
• Support the regulator with one hand while removing the final bolt.
• Carefully angle the regulator assembly out through the large door opening.
• Watch for sharp metal edges inside the door.

Step 11: Install the New Regulator Assembly

• Guide the new regulator assembly into the rear door through the large opening.
• Line up the regulator mounting holes with the holes in the door.
• Start all regulator bolts by hand first.
• Use a 10mm socket, 3-inch socket extension, and torque wrench to tighten the regulator bolts evenly.
• Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs)

Step 12: Reconnect the Glass to the Regulator

• Carefully remove only enough painter's tape to lower the glass by hand into the regulator glass holder.
• Keep one hand on the glass at all times.
• Align the glass mounting holes with the regulator clamps or bolt holes.
• Use a 10mm socket, 3-inch socket extension, and torque wrench to install and tighten the glass mounting bolts.
• Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs)
• Do not overtighten glass bolts.

Step 13: Test Window Operation Before Reassembly

• Plug the window motor connector back in by hand until it clicks.
• Temporarily reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Plug in the rear window switch connector.
• Turn the ignition key to ON.
• Use the window switch to move the glass down a few inches, then back up.
• Watch that the glass moves straight and does not bind.
• Turn the ignition off and use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable again before finishing reassembly.

Step 14: Reseal the Water Shield

• Press the original water shield back onto the door by hand.
• If the old adhesive no longer sticks, use butyl sealing tape to restore the seal around the edges.
• Make sure no wiring is trapped under the water shield.
• A poor seal can cause wet carpet or door panel damage.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Door Panel

• Hold the door panel close to the rear door.
• Reconnect the interior handle cable by hand if it was removed.
• Reconnect the rear window switch connector by hand until it clicks.
• Hang the top of the door panel over the window ledge.
• Line up the trim clips with the holes in the door.
• Press around the door panel edges by hand until each clip snaps into place.

Step 16: Reinstall Screws and Covers

• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw inside the rear door pull pocket.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to reinstall the screw behind the interior door handle.
• Press the screw covers closed by hand.

Step 17: Reconnect the Battery

• Place the negative battery cable back onto the battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to tighten the terminal clamp.
• Torque to 5 Nm (44 in-lbs)
• Do not overtighten the battery terminal.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Test the rear window from the rear door switch and the driver master switch.
• ✅ Run the window fully down and fully up at least three times.
• ✅ Listen for grinding, clicking, or binding noises.
• ✅ Confirm the glass seals evenly against the upper weatherstrip.
• ✅ Test the rear door lock and interior handle before driving.
• ✅ Check the bottom of the door panel after rain or washing to make sure the water shield is sealed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 per rear door (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$250 per rear door (parts only)

You Save: $260-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.2-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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