How To: Window Crank Removal with a shop rag

[91CavGT]

I looked around here and didn't see a How To posted on window crank removal without the specialty tool, so I thought that I'd make one.


If you go to other place's how to sites, all they do to tell you how to remove your window crank with a rag is;

"Use a shop rag with a "shoeshine" motion to release C clip on rear of crank and remove".


Well, I don't know about you guys, but this is not exactly descriptive for the ones who have never done this before. So, I give you pictures........


First off, I put a flat head screw driver in behind the window crank to make space between the window crank and the plastic ring so the rag will squeeze in there.




Here is a close up pic of where the screw driver needs to go and you can see the clear plastic ring that needs to be pushed back.




Now take your shop rag. Hold one corner in each hand and slowly work it between the crank and the plastic ring as you can see in this pic.






Now after you make sure that the rag is in place, remove the screw driver. If you look closely you can see the rag in between the plastic ring and the crank.




Now that the rag is in place, you can start doing the shoe shine thing with it. Make sure that you are holding on to the corners of the rag as you go back and forth. You might have to move the rag around in order to grab the clip. Once you get the clip off, you will notice that the crank pops out slightly. Once you pull it off, you will see this.........





This little clip is what is keeping your window crank in place. Once the rag grabs ahold of it and you do your shoe shine technique, it will come off.

Upon reinstalling the window crank, you must remove the clear plastic ring, reinstall the clip into it's slots(you can see them if you look closely on the crank), then reinstall the clear ring. At this point, all you have to do is to push the crank back on.


It's really an easy process that should take no more than 5 minutes tops after you've got the hang of how to do it.


Enjoy!

[Carbuster]

I added it to the sticky at the top.

[spoolin ex]

thanks for the good info.

[96Z28]

Thanks for the tip...I'm putting some new speakers in my truck this weekend and will be needing it. I have always used just a screwdriver in the past and it was always a pain in the ass!

[Stepdaddy]

wow, i wish this was posted about a year ago...i used a awl and a flat head...not the best choice but worked...this looks alot nicer, ill try it tomarrow

[inscape01]

I saw this in the sticky, cool trick. You can also just spend a few dollars and buy the tool.

[Georgiaz71]

i just use a flat head...no rag. i just grab the horseshoe shaped part and pop it out.

[atxcoloradofan]

it was a good idea, i did it last weekend when i put in my new 250 watt sony xplods in the doors, which i got to say sound a **** of alot better then those shitty stock 15 watt speakers!

[MCWHAMMER]

I wanted to let everyone know that this FAQ was a HUGE help to me. I started to take my door panel off because the geniuses at Chevrolet decided the best place for a cupholder was directly next to the speaker. As expected, at some point a Cheerwine cup popped it's lid in the toddler-sized cupholder, leading my entire speaker to become doused in soda.

After getting stuck on the window crank, I said "Oh no, I REALLY do not want to give my money to those morons at the dealership". Thankfully, with some searching and anxiety, I found this thread. I was able to get the crank off and install a replacement speaker in less than 1 Hour of work (I did it slowly to make sure I wasn't breaking anything else).

The window crank ended up being the easiest part of the process.

[retired]

Or you could spend 10 bucks and buy the correct tool and have it forever. But a nice trick if your in a pinch