window crank removal?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
window crank removal?
So here's the deal...I'm attempting to remove the door panels on my '74. I got the special tool for removing the window cranks and the door lock *****. Upon inserting the tool in/around the door lock *****, the pin popped right out...piece of cake. However, I can't get either of the window cranks to budge. Has anyone else run into a problem like this? I don't know if I'm being too gentle (I'd hate to snap off one of the cranks and create a bigger problem!). Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,374
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
The window crank is seperated from the door panel by an approximate 3/8 plastic "washer" that has the same color/texture of the door panel. You want to insert you crank removal tool immediately underneath the chrome circular flange of the crank handle and this plastic "washer." Insert the tool at 0 degrees to the handle. If this doesn't work, insert the tool at 180 degrees.
I had a little problem getting my cranks off. But a little trial and error succeeded. Just don't be too forceful. Those door panels are really expensive to replace. When everythings correct, a little gentle push on your tool should loosen the cranks.
..........................
PS. I found this tool a little too wide to get the door lock ***** off. I had to use my grinder to make the tool a little narrower. Actually I think I could have removed the ***** with original width, but it was scratching my door handle bezels. There's not a lot of happiness to be had when you're working on your Corvette doors.
I had a little problem getting my cranks off. But a little trial and error succeeded. Just don't be too forceful. Those door panels are really expensive to replace. When everythings correct, a little gentle push on your tool should loosen the cranks.
..........................
PS. I found this tool a little too wide to get the door lock ***** off. I had to use my grinder to make the tool a little narrower. Actually I think I could have removed the ***** with original width, but it was scratching my door handle bezels. There's not a lot of happiness to be had when you're working on your Corvette doors.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by BuckeyeStingray
So here's the deal...I'm attempting to remove the door panels on my '74. I got the special tool for removing the window cranks and the door lock *****. Upon inserting the tool in/around the door lock *****, the pin popped right out...piece of cake. However, I can't get either of the window cranks to budge. Has anyone else run into a problem like this? I don't know if I'm being too gentle (I'd hate to snap off one of the cranks and create a bigger problem!). Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,374
Likes: 788
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by markdtn
I used a cheap tool for years. I finally bought a Snap-On one and it really makes the difference. It slides right in, right size, right combination of flexible and stiff.
I'll start looking for this tool in the Snap-On catalog. If you could forward a part number that would be great. It's very annoying that the tool sold by the standard Corvette part vendors, is really too big to fit. Why can't they sell the correct tool. (I had to grind down my tool that I bought from a Corvette vendor to make it fit without scratching the bezels.)I
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
I had the cheapo tool that you can buy at any auto parts store, and it was a pain in the butt to use. There is a post here on the Forum (use Search to find it), and the member took a small flat blade screw driver and bent the end of the blade in a 90 degree angle. He said it works great, and that will be the way I go the next time.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
im 49 and been poppin those omega clips out since i was 19. and its the same tool i have since then, i also bought a new knockoff one, they both work fine. i just used it the other day on my 95 s-10 .and in one try and the clip popped,
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park FL
I bought a set of 4 "pics" from Wal-Mart. One was curved on the end.
Do to old age I guess, my "feel" just ain't as good as it used to be, so I got a small round mirror on the end of a rod. With the aid of a screwdriver to gently pry some space between the door panel and the window crank, I used the mirror to see the clip. Hooked the clip with the curved pic and pulled.... It (the clip) popped off and the handle pulled off.
Do to old age I guess, my "feel" just ain't as good as it used to be, so I got a small round mirror on the end of a rod. With the aid of a screwdriver to gently pry some space between the door panel and the window crank, I used the mirror to see the clip. Hooked the clip with the curved pic and pulled.... It (the clip) popped off and the handle pulled off.
