Window crank handle - what is the trick to get it to stay on the regulator?

[sdaughtry]

I have new door panels installed on my '73; I purchased NOS window crank handles but cannot get them to stay on the regulator. I pushed inward on the door panel as much as I could and slid the window crank handle (with the retaining pin inserted onto the back side of the handle) onto the regulator, but I don't see how I can force the retaining pin downward to secure it onto the regulator. Is there some nifty trick/tool that I need to use to get the crank handle to stay on <g>?

[siteunseen]

Someone on here said to use a thin rag between the handle and the door panel to remove the pin. Maybe you could use a handkerchief or bandanna and pull it down?

Mark Maras was the member that offered that trick.

Edited February 11, 2014 by siteunseen

[Galaxybj]

One thing I do is ensure the top part of the retaining clip is toward the handle to make it easier to get off and that it is pushed all the down to where the curves in the lower part of the retaining clip are able to protrude through the slots and lock on the regulator.

[Mark Maras]

I have always installed the clip on the handle first. Allign the splines and give it a rap with your hand. Most of the time it goes on the first try. If it doesn't, watch out for a flying clip. Try ,try again.

Mark in Portland

[zKars]

Not sure you got the complete picture of how this should work yet. Let's see if I can make it more complete.

Put the clip into the slot in the handle, ALL THE WAY into the same position it will be in when snapped onto the splined post on the door. The closed end of the clip will stop right up against the barrel of the handle where it can go no further. You should see both sides of the clip now proturding into the handle barrel (where splinded door reg post will go) evenly and centered from both sides.

When you press it in place (whack with flat palm), it will spread and snap into the mating groove in the post. You do you NOT push it down into place AFTER putting the handle onto the post. While this might work, its definitely the hard way.

And yes, MAKE SURE the closed part of the clip is facing the handle so you have a prayer of getting it off later with a hook. The rag trick is also good for removing it.

[Zed Head]

Might just need a little lubrication. Smear a little bit of oil or grease on the tapered portion of the splined shaft that the clip has to slide over.

[sdaughtry]

I will definitely try the thin rag trick - we tried a dozen times or so with putting the retaining "U" shaped clip onto the handle, slid the window crank onto the regulator (with me standing on the opposite side of the door/leaning through the window opening/pulling inward on the door panel to make the regulator visible) and then pushing on the window crank to try to get it to 'snap' into place... didn't work... time to look through the rag box <g>.

[Mark Maras]

I've never tried the rag trick for installation. I think if you install the clip on the handle and hold it in place with a rag while you put the handle on, the rag may help hold the clip in place during installation. Let me know if it works, I'm always looking for new tricks.

Mark in Portland

[zKars]

This is way more trouble than it needs to be. I bet you don't have the clip correctly installed on the handle so it cannot spread then snap in place in the groove in the splined shaft.

There are several incorrect styles of these clips out there, they are close, but if the shape of the "Waist" and the thickness of the wire is not just right, it makes it dang hard to make it work.

The clip has a "waist" like a supermodel, not like a beer belly, ini, not outie. Each side of the waist has to protude into the center of the handle, through the slots in the side of the barrel of the handle. If you can't see these two sides of the wire "waist" protruding into the center, at a distance apart less than the diameter of the splined shaft, then its not on right and won't engage.

BTW, these are the correct clips.

ClipsAndFasteners.com - Automotive Retainers,Clips and Fasteners

Kinda pricey at $5.23 for 100, but sometimes you just have to pony up....

[sdaughtry]

Hi Jim - I'm using the clips that were included with the NOS window crank handles, and i had ordered an additional set of clips from MSA...

[gnosez]

They make a removal and insert tool that holds the clip in place as you push back on the panel and then direct the clip into the slot on the regulator. It looks like a wonderbar (not a wonderbra) and is black with a 90 degree angle section that you use to remove panels.

[Mark Maras]

Another thought on installation. You might try installing the clip on the handle as mentioned before and wrap the installed clip with electrical tape just tight enough to hold the clip in place but still allow it to expand. Leave a long end on the tape so it can easily be removed.

Mark in Portland