fixed driver's power window for $6.70!

mpvue

Member
since I also own a BMW, it amazes me how I really don't experience many issues with my CX-9. the BMW is a high maintenance drama queen, whereas my Mazda is the always reliable, easily overlooked wallflower. anyway...

my power window developed a 'grinding' sound and wouldn't go up all the way without pulling on the window. usually, this means time for a new regulator and motor assembly. so I started researching it and found that it's usually a gear inside the motor assembly that fails, not the motor or track!

these gears are readily available on ebay.
youtube videos show it should be easy to open the case to get to the gear; I had some difficulty with this and cracked the 3 mounting ears off. so after replacing the gear I super glued them back on. seems to be fine.

the door and window assembly seems to be designed to be easy to service. after doing this job in about an hour, I can say I like my mazda even more now :)
 
since I also own a BMW, it amazes me how I really don't experience many issues with my CX-9. the BMW is a high maintenance drama queen, whereas my Mazda is the always reliable, easily overlooked wallflower. anyway...

my power window developed a 'grinding' sound and wouldn't go up all the way without pulling on the window. usually, this means time for a new regulator and motor assembly. so I started researching it and found that it's usually a gear inside the motor assembly that fails, not the motor or track!

these gears are readily available on ebay.
youtube videos show it should be easy to open the case to get to the gear; I had some difficulty with this and cracked the 3 mounting ears off. so after replacing the gear I super glued them back on. seems to be fine.

the door and window assembly seems to be designed to be easy to service. after doing this job in about an hour, I can say I like my mazda even more now :)

NICE !! thanks mpvue for sharing, good to know if this happens to me in the future instead of getting ripped off at the dearlership
 
It's pretty easy to fix the power windows - the hardest part is getting the door panel cover off without mangling the plastic panel fasteners. There's a web page out there (http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Mazda-CX-9-Front-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide/) that has step by step instructions.

The whole motor assembly can be had on rockauto for ~$40 with a coupon.

FYI, don't be surprised if you are doing this repair again soon - on my wife's car, the passenger side window failed within a few months of fixing the driver's side.
 
It's pretty easy to fix the power windows - the hardest part is getting the door panel cover off without mangling the plastic panel fasteners. There's a web page out there (http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/Mazda-CX-9-Front-Door-Panel-Removal-Guide/) that has step by step instructions.

The whole motor assembly can be had on rockauto for ~$40 with a coupon.

FYI, don't be surprised if you are doing this repair again soon - on my wife's car, the passenger side window failed within a few months of fixing the driver's side.

yes, thanks. I usually go to rock auto, but $6.70 is still a lot cheaper than $40 :)

the drivers window always sounded weird since we got it (it was a former rental) but so far the pass side works well.

and compared to my BMW that is known for consuming window tracks, this is pretty good.
 
I'd much rather repair the OEM Mazda piece than buy a crappy Chinese knockoff piece from RockAuto for $40. I went through several RockAuto rear wiper motors on my Expedition before buying the OEM Ford part and never having an issue with it again.

Nice find!
 
I'd much rather repair the OEM Mazda piece than buy a crappy Chinese knockoff piece from RockAuto for $40. I went through several RockAuto rear wiper motors on my Expedition before buying the OEM Ford part and never having an issue with it again.

Nice find!

that's always the hard choice in replacement parts; unfortunately, China has the ability to make some of the greatest and worst products on the planet, so it's hard to judge quality based on country of origin. and, many OEM parts come from China (not a lot of stuff manufactured in Japan anymore).

considering the OEM Mazda one failed in only 4 years, I'd take my chances with a replacement like Dorman, if this one fails again.
 
I'd much rather repair the OEM Mazda piece than buy a crappy Chinese knockoff piece from RockAuto for $40. I went through several RockAuto rear wiper motors on my Expedition before buying the OEM Ford part and never having an issue with it again.

Nice find!

The OEM supplier is TYC. Those are <$50 on rockauto.
 
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