I've been thinking about those damned clips and I have a couple of more thoughts. Assuming that the clips are thin enough to fit in the groove in the shaft,[i would use the the originals], As i recall there is a beveled nylon washer between the handle & the panel. You may have to turn it around if it is taking up to much space or put a flat plastic washer in it's place. I'd probably make one of those.

Mark in Portland

Is it something like this that I found on eBay (via Google), and if so, do you know if the big-box auto stores (e.g. O-Reilley's; Autozone) would have something similar:

Performance Tool Door Handle and Window Crank Removal Tool ea W80646 | eBay

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.

siteunseen may have inadvertently steered the discussion off-track with Post #2. The question is how get the handle on, not off. Handle in hand, clip in place in its two slots ready to expand as it passes over the nose of the splined crank shaft, press the handle on to the shaft and the clip expands and slides down the shaft, closing up again when it gets to its slot on the shaft, locking the handle in place.

The only reason to not be able to do this is either that the clip is not expanding far enough to slide down the shaft, or it's catching in something on its way down, or that the shaft is bottoming out in the handle hole before the clip gets to its slot. zKars is right, this is sounding way more complicated than it is. Put clip on handle, put handle on shaft, press and pop. That's all there is to it.

Edited February 12, 201411 yr by Zed Head

I doubt it, Looks like a removal tool only. I bought a tool back in the 70s that looked like a a pair of pliers They were flat in profile and had a groove that would barely grab a clip but they did work for stubborn clips. As I recall they were KW brand. I think that's the name. It was in a red blister pack. Oh hell, Now i have to dbl. chk. my memory, I'll see if I can find it for you. Mark in Portland

Tool is probaly K-D not KW-Mark

This is close to my old set. nationaltoolwarehouse.com

Steck tools #STK21720 $18.00

I'll keep looking,

Mark in Portland

Got it, thetoolwarehouse.net Lisle tools Door handle clip removal pliers, #LIS35200 Mark in Portland

Edited February 12, 201411 yr by Mark Maras
more info

A picture's worth a thousand words! Here's a moving one.

a93cf8f82e7d0004995550c888a792af

edit: not sure if the embed worked, here's a link:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153829065345327

That video is perfect. 9.5 second build-up, action, end.

Once you get it on - wait until you try to take off!

That's when you use the rag trick.

Why do you think I didn't mind popping my window crank handle off just to show how to put it back on

There is a simple tool for getting the clip off. OTOH, on my '78, you can see the clip after you take the plastic cover off.

There is a simple tool for getting the clip off. OTOH, on my '78, you can see the clip after you take the plastic cover off.

siteunseen may have inadvertently steered the discussion off-track with Post #2. The question is how get the handle on, not off.

Oh yeah, right. You need to also make sure that the clip is squeezed just tight enough so the handle doesn't fall off or get pulled off.

There is a simple tool for getting the clip off. OTOH, on my '78, you can see the clip after you take the plastic cover off.

My simple tool for removing the clip is a straight section of a metal clothes hanger with a 90 degree bend in one end that is about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.