A Simple Vent Window Repair

Among the really neat Christmas presents I received was new knob for the drivers side window vent.  This was broken off at the base when I bought BB and, consequently, the window vent was always popping open.

Sometimes, a technical revolution can find one's product completely displaced.  I thought about this as I worked to replace the vent window knob on BB.  Why is it that no cars today have vent windows?

Thinking this would be an easy repair, I asked my son, Eric to help one day when we had a free hour.  He checked a YouTube video and said "Dad, I think we're going to need more time…"  Good thing he did.  This became a Winter project.

 

When I had a bigger block of time, I began the extraordinary finger yoga needed to remove the vent.  It turns out that the main window track is integrated in the vent window frame.  I suppose that saves parts in the factory, but it makes the repair pretty interesting.  There are also some interesting custom nuts that can only be reached through access holes in the front of the door.  An interesting challenge for a 30 year old tool box.. 

It turned out to be a good exercise, since I could grease the fittings and main window track.  And, of course, I replaced the missing knob. 

To return to the question above, I think the that power windows and AC killed the window vent.  There was a time when the easiest breath of fresh air was the vent window; now, we only open the window to get to the drive-through window at Strabucks!  It's amazing how highly humans value convenience.  In the end, that's good though, since all innovation really comes down to saving time.  If you're considering a start-up venture, ask yourself, if, at the root, you are saving someone some time.  If not, go back to the drawing board.

Happy driving!