How-To: Remove A Window Crank The Easy Way
By Sean O'Hara
I was watching a teenager try to remove the window crank from his first car the other day, and it struck me that there are folks out there who’ve never suffered through it before. For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure, let me assure you that you won’t need the above tool in most cases.
Ah, the old window-crank removal game — it can be super-frustrating and time-consuming, however I benefited from a cantankerous mechanic taking pity on me about 17 years ago, and I will now pass that knowledge on to you. When I did the procedure this weekend the entire thing was over and done with before anyone could grab a camera, so these pics are some I found at ColoradoFans.com.
The first order of business: grab a screwdriver and wedge it between the door panel and crank. There’ll often be a plastic disc in between there as well as a clip. You may not be able to see the clip very well, or at all in some cases.
If you can see the clip, start stuffing a rag in the space where the clip is. If you can’t see it, make a guess which side of the disc the clip is on. If you’re wrong the worst that’ll happen is you’ll have to repeat this. No harm done.
Now using a flossing or shoe-shine motion (whichever analogy you prefer) work the rag back and forth, applying a little pressure. Most of the time the horseshoe clip is facing with the prongs down toward the handle, in which case you’ll want to work the rag around so the rag is hitting that part of the shaft. But sometimes it’s the other way, and you’ll need to spin the rag around and work that side of the crank.
If everything goes well you might hear a tiny pop. You might be rewarded with the clip flying loose. Or you might hear nothing. In any case, try and remove the crank. If it doesn’t come loose, try again on the other side of the plastic disc or the reverse side of the shaft.
Note: Don’t lose the clip. You’ll need that to put the crank back on.
Installation is pretty simple as well. Just reassemble the crank/clip/disc and position the clip so it’s stuck on the crank in the slots but the prongs don’t go in them. Carefully position the crank in place and nudge the clip home with a screwdriver once it’s seated.
I’m sure there are situations that might require the actual removal tool (perhaps some friendly gear-heads reading this will fill in the specifics), but I’ve never used one and this method seems pretty universal.
Window Crank Removal [Colorado Fans]
Another Removal Article [Focus Hacks]
Street Pricing [Google]
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
I’m betting that most kids now have power windows.
But back when I was a kid working on a 60’s car - I remember my KD 431 spring clip remover - and their #2330 tool that help with reinstallation of tricky ones that wanted to pop out of the slot.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Whenever I had to remove a window crank I always used a spring hook tool. The hook was small enough to reach in between the crank and the door panel and the other side had a notched pusher that could be used to reinstall when I was done working inside the door. The bonus is they are cheap, you can usually find them for a buck or less at electronics stores, flea markets, or the different shows at the fair grounds.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
When I did this back in the ’70s the splined stud had a chamfer on the end. All I had to do was put the clip all the way on the crank and knock it on the shaft, it just popped right on.
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
What is a window crank? HAA HAAAA HAA just kidding. When restoring cars we use needle nose pliers. But the rag protecting vital
“bling” is good idea
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
The tools like the one in the first picture are definitely the easiest way I’ve found to pull the window crank on a vehicle. It’s been at least 10 years since I’ve had to do it, but by god, the tool is still in my toolbox.
For $4, totally worth it. You’ll spend less time driving to AutoZone to pick one up.
@SteveW, every one I’ve ever done was that way. Slide the clip onto the crank handle, get the handle angle right, and give it a smack.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
It was a lot easier for me on my last crank-window car. I just unscrewed the Philips head screw in the center of the crank and pulled it off.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Funny, I’ve always found pulling them off, with a hook or needle nose, much easier than trying to align a tool and push it off.
March 4th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Wow, haven’t had to do this in awhile. I’ve done this several ways including the screwdriver and rag flossing method. IMHO the tool is often worth the money as BC says, at least worth the $1.50 I paid back in the day at the flea market.
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Thanks for the tip! The Ford Focus window crank may be a little harder to get off than the one pictured as it’s a little shorter than the one in the photo. Otherwise, great advice … I dugg this.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I have been looking for a long time for this information. I tried the towel tool and to my suprise it worked beautifully. Trouble is, there was no pin or clip at all. Therefore to replace does it simply push on? 1976 Chevy Cheyenne pickup…
Many Thanks
TC
October 24th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Thanks very much for publishing this!
I went to buy the tool and my store (called supercheap ffs) wanted $USD13!
replacing door speakers shouldn’t mean 1/3rd budget goes on a piece of generic brand metal.
so I’ll sure as hell try this method.
[1995 Hyundai Excel/Accent) everything is plastic so i gotta be careful!]
December 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Forget the tool use the rag, it’s super slick. Thanks a lot.
February 5th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
[...] card won’t move an inch while the window crank is still in. 2) Guide to remove the window crank: Toolmonger Blog Archive How-To: Remove A Window Crank The Easy Way 3) Once the crank is removed slowly rock the door card back and forth in an upward motion and the [...]