My son has a 2001 Alero 2 door. Neither of his windows would roll up all the way (left about 1/2 inch space on back side) so I decided to attack the driver's side today. Man, what a job.

First, getting the window crank/handle off is ridiculous. That pin that hold the crank on is something. So I eventually gut the window crank pulled off and get the door panel removed. But in the process I break to some extent or another the cover/anchor for the side mirror adjustment, and the cover around the trunk release button. Cheap plastic with clips that just don't give and/or bounce back.

The part that was causing the window problem was again a piece of plastic bonded to the window. This piece broke and the back cable was no longer working correctly. So I used a mending plate to fix it. Works fine now.

But jeez, I broke 2 things to get to the part. I wouldn't advise trying to take off the door panel to any other amateur like myself. What a mess. And I have the passenger side to look forward to...

 

Sorry it worked out that way for you, but at least you got the window fixed. Maybe you could write up a procedure so others will have better luck, since the windows are a very common problem (all four of mine have been done at least once).

 

Did the passenger side today in about 30 minutes. Not as much stuff to deal with. I would write a procedure but you probably wouldn't want to follow it! At least when it comes to removing the panel.