I am replacing the window motor on the driver’s side. I have been taping the window in the “up” position with duct tape and then pulling the motor from the regulator without taking the regulator assembly off.

Someone told me that the regulator is spring loaded and removing the window motor without removing the whole regulator as a unit is very dangerous. They said to remove the regulator and motor as an assembly, drill a hole through the sector gear and back plate secure them together with a ¼-20 screws so the unit will not unload unexpectedly.

Have I been that lucky by removing and replacing the window motors without removing the regulator assembly? Nothing has jumped or moved while I have been replacing the motor. Is it necessary to remove the whole regulator assembly to replace the motor?