Window crank handle
 

Trying to get window crank installed but cannot figure out how to depress the spring and get escutcheon, handle and pin installed at the Same time, is there a trick to this?

Re: Window crank handle
 

Use a needle nose pliers to insert the pin through the holes in the crank and riser shaft as you push the crank handle and escutcheon late towards the door. Pre-fit the pin first to ensure it will enter both holes. I have had to drill the hole larger on repro crank handles because the pin was too large, but fit fine through the original riser shaft. Against all logic, the large spring behind the door panel is supposed to slide over the riser shaft with the SMALL coil first. The larger coil end spreads out the tension on the door panel's cardboard to keep the pin in place after it is inserted. Once the pin clears the escutcheon plate, the plate will cover the pin and sit flush against the riser crank handle.
Marshall

Re: Window crank handle
 

The springs can be very tough to depress by yourself. If you can, get a second person to depress the spring while you install the handle. There are new escutcheons available that have the spring built into them and are easier to install. They don't need the spring under the panel but can be installed leaving the spring under the panel in most cases. Of course these would not be original.

Re: Window crank handle
 

I find I generally need three hands to do this - one on each side of the escutcheon to depress it evenly, and one to insert the pin. I enlist my bride to help me by inserting the pin.

Having said that, there is one handle where for the life of me I can’t get the escutcheon depressed enough. Don’t know whether it’s an extra thick door panel, a too-tall escutcheon, or what. I’ve had to omit the spring under that one to get it to fit.

Re: Window crank handle
 

It's been a long time since I've done this, but the way I remember it, is that the spring does not go behind the door panel, but on top of it.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: Window crank handle
 

The spring does go between (behind) the door panel and the inner door. It pushes the door panel outward against the escutcheon and by doing so, pushes the escutcheon against the window crank.

Re: Window crank handle
 

Check the pin hole size on the new handle with a drill bit shank to see if the hole is bigger than the pin.If the hole is to small drill it out. See #2 response.

Re: Window crank handle
 

Thanks for all the input, gonna be a struggle.