How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

[Glenn B.]

One of my window cranks had the wobbly handle syndrome. I soon realized there is no way to tighten it. I hunted on Ebay and thought I'd found a bargain on a correct color replacement. When I got it - I realized it was the wrong shade of blue.

Since the new crank was no good to me - though I'd try an experiment. I placed the hanadle in boiling water for 5 minutes, and voila - the rubber handle pops right off with a little force. Slides back on almost as easily when bolied.

So, just swaped the knobs - problem solved. So... just remove your old colored knob and swap it onto a good handle.

There was one other step you may or may not encounter. Despite the fact that both handles had the exact same part number, my original handle had a large concave dimple out of the metal stud, and the rubber had a convex bump to match. The "new" handle did not have this dimple out of the metal stud - so I had to Dremel off the rubber bump on my original knob to fit the new handle.

Hope this helps someone

[Joe L.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Glenn-----

That's great information. I did not know that the cover of the knob could be so easily removed and replaced. Basically, what you have done is to remove the COVER of the knob and not the complete knob assembly. Your method, though, should work great for anyone wanting to transfer a knob cover (especially the colored covers used for 1967-68) to another handle/knob assembly. If the knob breaks off, which is the usual failure mode, this method won't be useful. Still, one might very well be able to obtain a replacement knob (from Motormite/Dorman, for instance), transfer the knob cover from the old knob to the replacement knob, and install that on the original handle.

Also, the fact that the 2 handles had the same number on the rear of the arm casting does not necessarily mean that the 2 handle assemblies had the same finished part number. The casting number on the arm is usually different than the finished part number for the handle assembly since the arm casting may be used for different finished handle assemblies. In any event, the arm casting number usually only applies to the arm portion of the assembly even if only one finished part number is made from it. This unfortunate "fact-of-life" with GM parts has and will continue to cause HUGE confusion over the years.

[Joe L.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Glenn-----

That's great information. I did not know that the cover of the knob could be so easily removed and replaced. Basically, what you have done is to remove the COVER of the knob and not the complete knob assembly. Your method, though, should work great for anyone wanting to transfer a knob cover (especially the colored covers used for 1967-68) to another handle/knob assembly. If the knob breaks off, which is the usual failure mode, this method won't be useful. Still, one might very well be able to obtain a replacement knob (from Motormite/Dorman, for instance), transfer the knob cover from the old knob to the replacement knob, and install that on the original handle.

Also, the fact that the 2 handles had the same number on the rear of the arm casting does not necessarily mean that the 2 handle assemblies had the same finished part number. The casting number on the arm is usually different than the finished part number for the handle assembly since the arm casting may be used for different finished handle assemblies. In any event, the arm casting number usually only applies to the arm portion of the assembly even if only one finished part number is made from it. This unfortunate "fact-of-life" with GM parts has and will continue to cause HUGE confusion over the years.

[Terry F.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Excellent post. Also, you can usually place the rubber knob face down on a hard flat surface (protect with a soft cloth). Then take a large hammer and a flat piece of steel and smack the rivet on the back side. I actually made a tool to fit the rivet. Smack it a couple times and it will be tight again. Make sure the little wave washer turns freely and put a small dab of lithum or silicone grease on the moving surfaces and it will feel good as new.

I have thought about doing what you did but did not get around to it. Excellent idea! Love to hear those sort of things. Terry

[Terry F.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Excellent post. Also, you can usually place the rubber knob face down on a hard flat surface (protect with a soft cloth). Then take a large hammer and a flat piece of steel and smack the rivet on the back side. I actually made a tool to fit the rivet. Smack it a couple times and it will be tight again. Make sure the little wave washer turns freely and put a small dab of lithum or silicone grease on the moving surfaces and it will feel good as new.

I have thought about doing what you did but did not get around to it. Excellent idea! Love to hear those sort of things. Terry

[Rob M.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Glenn,

You might want to consider to make Vinnie Pieters day and write a small How To article out of this posting together with some pictures to share this info with your 15000 other restorer colleagues!!!

greetings,
Rob.

[Rob M.]

Re: How To - Fix Those Wobbly Window Cranks!

Glenn,

You might want to consider to make Vinnie Pieters day and write a small How To article out of this posting together with some pictures to share this info with your 15000 other restorer colleagues!!!

greetings,
Rob.