Removing Window Crank
Q: Removing Window Crank
How do you get the window cranks out of the door? I was trying to take my door apart since sometimes it locks and won’t open, but couldn’t figure out how to get the window crank off without tearing it up.
A: there is a clip on the inside of the crank shaped kinda like a horseshoe that you need to pull out since it locks it to the knurled crank shaft. You’ll need a tool shaped like a small hook and it has to be thinner than a coat hanger but it needs to be steel or something that won’t bend. I use a spring puller.
Here’s what you do:
Point the crank with the handle away from you. Push the door pannel in as far as you can with your hand Use a flash light if needed to look behind the crank You should see a notch on the back of the crank where you can put the tool through and grab the wire clip Pull back hard and the clip will pop out (don’t lose it if you’re going to use the same crank. New ones usually come with clips) Make sure you also note the sequence of the spiral spring and the plastic spacer.
To re-install, snap the clip on and then you push on the crank and it will snap over the knurled part and lock in.
I hope this was clear enough. It almost helps to look at a crank already pulled out to see what it looks like.
A: Take a plain old wire coat hanger and bend a 90 degree angle at the end of it. The bent part should no more than 1/4″. Now, depress the door panel slightly. Ordinarily hidden from view, you will see a formed wire clip that is snapped around the window crank. It is very difficult to see, so use a flashlight. (look in a Firebird catalog to see the back side of a window crank). It’s easier to figure out once you’ve seen one. Once you’ve seen the wire clip, simply hook the back side of it with your new tool and pull gently. The clip will come loose and the crank then pulls straight off.
As someone else said. It’s soooooo simple once you figure it out. And once you have, you won’t need to look at the backside anymore. You’ll just slip the tool in and do your work blindfolded.
P.S. Don’t damage that door panel!!! Be careful!!!
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