32 cabriolet door glass window rollers

[my4dv8]

It seems the 32 cabriolet had no window felts ,maybe? I really dont know if they did or not.Our rollers are somewhat worn plus the angle brace to the glass track has the special screw delete option. No one lists 32 specific roller replacements. Some vendors do list 35-38 roller kits. How close are these to fitting a 32 cabriolet?

[Kurt in NJ]

i have never seen them sold separately, would need more pictures of the area
on my 36 each roller rides on a single ball bearing on each side , the screw between the roller tensions the ball bearings,
I bought some damaged window frame to have parts, don’t know if i will have xtras yet

[fordv8j]

the holes in rollers on our 38 conv were worn; cut end off correct size drill bit and made new ones...axels

[my4dv8]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

i have never seen them sold separately, would need more pictures of the area
on my 36 each roller rides on a single ball bearing on each side , the screw between the roller tensions the ball bearings,
I bought some damaged window frame to have parts, don’t know if i will have xtras yet

That sounds very like the 32 setup . I have not quite worked out what the spring loaded part is folks talk about? If 35-38 do fit a 32 we are good to go.

[Karl Wescott]

There were at least two designs. I think the early was used 1932-35 however carried over into possibly 1938 at some assembly plants. The later design was "1936-39" and 1940 but could have started as early as late 1935. (the 1935-39 use the same size and shape window frames... 1940 is different due to the vent window)

[DavidG]

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The sides of the channels in the doors have flat sections that are spring loaded to ensure a snug fit of the window assembly in the channels.

[my4dv8]

Karl Wescott asked for more detailed pictures. He asked very good questions in a PM. These are clearly the I couldn’t find all the screws delete option special edition frames , amazingly they still function ok . Nope I just removed them as is from the car. Can a Barners please point out the “spring loaded section” I must be not seeing it. At present the windows float around like a dingy in a storm .

[DavidG]

The spring-loaded sections are in the vertical channels in the doors, not a part of the window framing. Those channels have a U-shaped cross section. Accordingly, they are not in your photos.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by my4dv8

Karl Wescott asked for more detailed pictures. He asked very good questions in a PM. These are clearly the I couldn’t find all the screws delete option special edition frames , amazingly they still function ok . Nope I just removed them as is from the car. Can a Barners please point out the “spring loaded section” I must be not seeing it. At present the windows float around like a dingy in a storm .

What is the size, thread and head style of screw you're missing??? I "might" have them OR be able to source them for you?? AS I see two phillips head screw which I doubt are correct??

[Lincolnville]

I've attached some photos of the spring-loaded sections of the vertical channels.

[Lincolnville]

Karl,
The screws that are missing in the first picture - attaching the angle bracket are 10-32 x 1/4" slotted flat head.

[Terry,OH]

Drake makes a kit for replacing the rollers with the two steel ball support. Local hardware store may have the steel balls.

[my4dv8]

It looks like our springs have long since sprung, according to what I think I see in Linconville post. Some one has attempted to add felt to our Chanel’s. If I am assuming correctly is there supposed to be a flat plate in the channel that the springs push against to put pressure on the rollers?? Where the heck do we get the springs and associated fitting from. ?? We don’t have McMaster-Carr down under.

[millersgarage]

I used the one from Drake that are listed as a later year on my 33.

They were exactly the same

[my4dv8]

I have the rollers sorted now. Just need more information on all the absent side springs. These little critters thanks to Lincolnville pictures.

[Kurt in NJ]

Try a place that works on manual transmission, look at synchronizer springs, shift rail detent springs
The rails on my 36 have felt crimped at the edge I figure for anti rattle dampening

[RB]

You've gotta love those cabriolets, the 32's especially were so different from the rest of the 32 offerings, a body by itself no less.

[Lincolnville]

I've posted a picture of the spring. While it is broken, it is roughly 1/2" in length and the steel is 1/32". And it is 33/128 (rounding up to 1/4") in diameter. The inside diameter is 11/64 or .17, with 5 coils.
Matt

[Lincolnville]

Now I need to locate some felt. Any suggestions?
Matt

[DavidG]

You can obtain a roll of adhesive-backed felt from Bob Drake.

[my4dv8]

Great information and picture @Linconville. What holds the springs in and what do they push against? We have absolutely no springs,so didn’t know that they were even missing. Slowly getting more elusive information.

[Lincolnville]

I’ve attached a few more photos to help you unravel the mystery. In the first photo you can see one spring that is properly functioning (left side) and then one that is missing the spring but the rivet/post that retains the spring is still present.
If you look at your post (#13- the 3rd & 4th pictures) and compare it to the first two pictures in this post you can start to get an idea. The rivet/post in the first picture, right side, holds in the spring and has a washer that acts as a retainer for the spring – now missing.
At this point, I believe the rivet/post is either spot welded in or pressed into the inner guide – (see pictures with the blue tape). The inner guide runs the entire length of the vertical channels. From your pictures post (#13- the 3rd & 4th pictures), your inner guide is either missing entirely or is so badly warped/ rusted as to make it worthless.
I’ve ordered springs from McMaster-Carr today.
Channel is constructed of 1/16” thick steel.
Height: 55/64”
Width: 57/64”
Inner width: 51/64”
Height of inner guide is 95/128”
Feel free to send me a DM with your email address if you need additional pictures.

Matt

[Lincolnville]

I've attached a few last pictures. As you can see the from the last picture, the post would pass through the channel and then attach to the inner guide. The drift pin is 7/64". So that would be the diameter of the post. It now appears the post was pressed into place - like a rivet.

Matt

[Lincolnville]

One last post.
You should be able to see how the spring is held in by the channel and then how the post/rivet acts as a guide and as a retainer- see post 22 – picture 6347 and picture 6364 from this post.
The inner guide is in the shape of an inverted “L” and runs the length of the channel. See post 22 – picture 6352 right side and picture 6369 from this post.
As in all pictures, the blue tape is the inner guide
Springs can be ordered from WB Jones, in Kentucky part # 189. Or you can order them from McMaster-Carr.

[my4dv8]

We need more folk like Linconville on the barn who take time out of their busy day to post pictures and give an excellent detailed postings. If your car does not have the particular part often you dont know that it is in fact missing. Two Thumbs up to Linconville.

[Karl Wescott]

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Not to reopen the thread, but the information here was able to help a person in California with his 1937 convertible sedan, which has the early style roller system. He was missing the spring loaded part of the run channel and did not know it. Thanks all

[my4dv8]

Exactly Karl , we were missing that part also and didn’t even know we needed it .Great place ,the Barn ,and @linconville .

[32Bee]

I'm currently slowly installing the glass in my 35 convertible sedan. I made new rollers for
all 4 of my window frames utilizing my Logan metal lathe. The only ones I didn't remake
were the 2 larger ones that each frame has which, on my car, are where the small springs
in question are located. The door glass channels on my car have no adjustment rollers or
springs. I haven't decided as to whether I'm going to replace the felt in my channels as
originally the channels were factory crimped in order to hold the felt in. Currently the one
window I have installed rolls up and down satisfactorily and I think I'll leave well enough
alone.

[Lincolnville]

I've finished fixing the channel and all 3 are now for sale. As shown in the pictures, one of the channels still needs to straightened, welded (the blue cap is pointing the cracks) and have the springs installed.