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Hey everyone. My 2010 EX sedan has a bit of an annoying issue that I think could end up causing a big issue if I don't figure out how to address it, and despite searching high and low around the internet I can find ABSOLUTELY ZERO info on how to deal with this problem. Not how-to pages or videos, no info on what I might need to shop for, not even a clear indication of what the proper terminology for the piece I'm looking at is. Hopefully someone here can help.

I have for a while dealt with issues of my driver's side window "skipping" when opening while it's raining(I deliver newspapers, to the window has to open repeatedly most nights regardless of conditions). It has, so far, been easily alleviated by usage of lubricant in the track/run/channels along the front and back of the window.

However, in the past few days, this solution has stopped being effective. The skipping will return within a couple of uses, and now it has become slow to close as well, and squeaks/squeals the entire way up and down whether it's been raining or not. The weatherstripping has begun to ripple and a close examination reveal it is separating from the window frame and slipping upwards. This appears to be causing it to bind up, thus the slow closing.

I need to either figure out how to stop this and get the existing weatherstripping back into position or completely replace it, and as I said my searches for solution have been entirely fruitless. Please help before I end up burning out the motor! We're approaching winter in Ohio so I can't just drive with the window open all night.

 
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https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...retailers.html

 
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Probably needs replacement, what are you using for lubricant?

 
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Blaster-brand silicone lubricant.

How much am I looking at to replace this part if necessary?

 
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did you look into the link i posted?

 
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Yes, but I still haven't found the part, or any info on exactly how to replace it when I do.

 
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Okay, I've now found what I THINK is the right part (https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuin...n=pd:4228394,7 ) but information on the replacement process is still scarce. Found no info on how to do it specifically on my model, but everything else I've seen points to having to actually remove the window itself. That's an issue for me because I have butterfingers, and butterfingers + glass is not a good combination.

Can anyone give me a ballpark estimate how much it would cost me to have someone else do it?

 
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Couple hours of labour, really not that hard to get the window out

 
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It being difficult or not isn't the issue. My butterfinger tendencies are.

Regardless, I'd need detailed info on HOW to do it before I can even consider whether or not to take the chance and I'm still not finding adequate info with respect to my specific model of Civic. While I've got something of an idea what this entail from seeing other videos, more directly relevant information would be preferable....

 
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most civics should be similar, aside from details

 
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Some good news: After some in-depth cleaning I have seemingly stopped the wind from binding up/slowing down while closing, which should buy me some time to research. It is still making a lot of squeaking noise when moving, however, and the lubricant makes no difference on it.

The cleaning process also pulled out a LOT of gray gunk that is leading me to believe that at some point before I owned this car, the runners were greased with something they probably shouldn't have been, likely leading to why the runners are in this state... Anyone know of a greasing agent that would cause this kind of rippling on these things?

 
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Petroleum based lube will cause the rubber to swell causing the rippling and other issues you have

 
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Any way to alleviate it or is it likely too late?

 
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Soooo.... An error may have led to an erroneous conclusion about the problem: A couple of days ago I was cleaning out my car with my dad's assistance. I had him lubricate the window in the process. It appears he may have used lithium grease without thinking - when I pointed out the grey gunk to him, he remembered the lithium grease he has dries in a greyish color.

The can of lithium grease is of identical size and coloration, even having the same color cap, and a quick test shows it comes out looking the same as the silicone lubricant when it foams up a bit, so if one is not paying attention it's a VERY easy mistake to make.

So the runner might not actually be falling apart. Is there a way to alleviate the expansion from the lithium grease or am I S.O.L.?

(EDIT: To be clear, I only regularly lubricate the driver's window due to it's frequent use - only the driver's window got lubricated during the cleaning the other day)

 
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Doubt it, usually can't reverse the swelling

 
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Well, I found some information on a way to relieve the swelling a bit. Not completely, but enough that maybe I would not have to rush. The process is simply to clean the rubber with hot soapy water.

It actually was working - The runners were actually becoming much less rippled. Unfortunately, the water also unstuck it from the window frame and now the runner is partially out, so my window can't close and my car is unusable until I get the stuff to fix it anyway...

Tomorrow I will disassemble the door interior and pull out the window and the runners so the car will be ready for the new part. I will also see if a full soak in hot water(another suggested technique) will do anything in case it will take too long for the replacement to ship.

So... On a scale of 1 to 10(1 being DON'T DO IT and 10 being zero risk), how bad an idea is it to go aftermarket on a part like this? I know some stuff it's best to stick to OEM, but I do need to save money when I safely can.

 
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car-part.com, find a scrapyard car near you and get the part

 
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The only conveniently close scrapyard in my area closes the entire Thanksgiving weekend. -.-

After a thorough cleaning I was able to actually straighten and shrink back down the runners out and fit them back in, so my car is usable short-term. VERY short term - when I pulled the runner all the way out, it split apart right at the joint at the top-back of the window frame. So there is now an imperfection in the weather sealing. It being all the way up in the corner I suspect the effect will be minimal outside of the absolute worst conditions(which aren't in the foreseeable forecast in my area), so I can use the car while I wait for the part to ship in, or can find one in decent shape when the scrapyard reopens.

I cannot say the window is working BETTER than before, but I can 100% say it's working no worse than it was immediately before this happened. There is, however, no visible rippling in the runners.

I had a few scares handling the window with my butterfinger tendencies, though. I'm hoping I can get a friend's assistance when I do this next time. But at least I now know I can do it IF I account for that...

 
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You'd probably be ok with aftermarket

 
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Looks like my options are: OEM, used, or wait 2-3 weeks for something from Thailand and only save $20 for my troubles.

Once I do get something, I have one more thing I need to work out. Some of the videos I've seen say I should put some sealant/adhesive on the inside to ensure it sticks to the car. Some skipped this step. So I do this or not?

 
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Arrival of replacement part is imminent - Friday at the latest. Need an answer about the sealant/adhesive thing - too much conflicting information from the general auto sources, want the opinions of people who know Civics.

 
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New part has arrived and been installed. Had a minor issue where the cable to the door lock misaligned itself while putting the interior panel back in and it resulted in the car not wanting to unlock, but with well-timed pushes of the keyfob button I was able to get in the passenger side, and with well-timed pushes of the unlock button on the driver's door I was able to get the door back open and fix it.

I did not use any sealant/adhesive as I figure if that's the wrong way to do things it will be easier to correct than it would be if the wrong way was to actually use sealant. Based on how it went in, I assume sealant was not necessary, though. Nonetheless I would like to thank you all for the complete LACK of any response to my inquiry on that particular detail. /s

The trim along the bottom of the window on the outside is cracking a bit and will likely need replaced soon, but I suspect that is a FAR easier process.

 
Rep Power: 224

There are only a handful of people that actively look at new threads on the forum. The chances of one of us having enough experience with your specific issue to give advice is slim to start with. We always appreciate following up on issue threads (like you have) to help future users.