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Topic: Window Crank Handles Cheap Metal

in Forum: C3 Interior


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Window Crank Handles Cheap Metal (1/4)
 6/9/13 9:44pm
miccar
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Johnston, RI - USA

Vette(s):
1972 coupe


Joined: 10/30/2012
Posts: 21

Does anyone make a good window crank handle. I have replaced two Dorman Help handles in the last 6 months. The metal inside gets stripped down and the handle just spins. It would be nice if someone made a US handle with the threads extending further toward the end of the handle. Does anyone have a GM handle or set for sale or can you recommend a good US handle?

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Re: Window Crank Handles Cheap Metal (2/4)
 6/9/13 10:41pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Those things are made/cast from a soft white metal, similar to pewter, or zmac. Not very solid, to say the least. However....if your window regulator, and tracks are dry, or gummy, that could accelerate the wearing out of the splines on the handles. You might try cleaning the regulator gearing, the rollers, and the tracks, and then putting a light grease on them, to allow the windows to go up/down much easier, thereby extending the life of your next set of handles.
Don't know if "Trim Parts" makes the handles, but you could check. If they do, they will be a very good quality.


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Re: Window Crank Handles Cheap Metal (3/4)
 6/10/13 12:49am
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

I can probably get you some used originals were they pot metal also?  
Re: Window Crank Handles Cheap Metal (4/4)
 6/10/13 10:53am
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

I've had this problem with several cars I've rebuilt over the yrs.  In my case it was the window tracks being the issue.  The first was a 69 camaro that I got with the cranks spinning.  I removed them and used a spare handle I had.  After a little while, I don't recall how long, it too started to strip.  The car was totaled not to long after that so I never fully tracked down the problem.  The same thing was happening to a 67 Camaro that was the next rebuild.  The interior was already ripped out so I just cleaned up the tracks and regreased them and they worked like new...well what I assumed would have been new.  The handles I used as replacements worked for 5 yrs or so until I sold the car.  With the other car, 72 LTD convertible or another Camaro or Cutlas or...the brain is in full wander mode now, I just cleaned/relubed the tracks because I thought they felt stiff.  In the long run I figure it saved time and money.

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