Tips on How to Remove a Window Crank Handle

Removing your vehicle’s window crank handle is necessary when you need to remove the door panels for repair or maintenance. Removing the window crank handle without breaking it might seem impossible since there isn’t a visible screw, button, or release that can remove the handle. However, most window crank handles are attached using a hidden retainer clip on the base of the crank handle.

In this article, we’ll give you some manual window crank handle removal tips so you can easily remove your window crank handle.

How Is the Window Crank Handle Attached?

The crank handle has plastic teeth that lock onto steel grooves on the rod connected to your vehicle’s window regulator. A metal retainer clip fits over the crank handle’s plastic teeth and the steel groove. This clip also latches onto a notch on the rod, which acts like a stopper and prevents the crank handle from being pulled out.

Find a Thin Cloth

The key to removing the retainer clip is to use a piece of cloth to pull the clip off the rod.

The best way to do that is to use a thin towel and insert it into the gap between the handle and the washer behind the handle. However, the gap on your vehicle’s crank handle can be narrow and some microfiber towels or household rags might be too thick.

Pry the Handle With a Screwdriver

Sometimes, there won’t be a visible gap between the crank handle and the plastic trim. Without a gap, you won’t be able to insert the towel that will remove the retainer clip. To create an opening on the crank handle’s base, you can use a flathead screwdriver to pry the crank handle upwards. As the crank handle is raised, you can insert the towel into the opening and begin trying to unlatch the retainer clip.

Determine the Retainer Clip’s Direction

Given how the C clip is shaped, finding how the clip is attached is important. The C clip needs to be pulled outward so that it can release its grip from the crank handle. You can try to peek into the gap between the crank handle and the washer to determine how the retainer clip is attached.

Don’t Lose the Retaining Clip

As you fish the clip with the towel, you should be careful not to lose the retaining clip as it falls from the handle. Without this retaining clip, you won’t be able to reattach the crank handle and you won’t be able to open and close your door glass anymore.

Reinstall the Window Crank Handle

Getting the C clip back to its original position might seem difficult, given the narrow gap between the handle and the washer. However, the crank handle has grooves that indicate where the C clip is mounted. Put the C clip over these groves then push the crank handle back onto its previous location. You can pull the crank to ensure that the clip is over the metal rod and the crank is locked in place.

Overall, the key to removing your vehicle’s window crank handle is having patience and using the proper technique. Using brute force won’t yield results, since the crank handle retainer clip requires a specific technique in order to be removed.