One of the rear window cranks on my ‘55 pops off at the strangest times. If I hit a bump, it pops off. If I leave it parked in the garage, it pops off. It has a plastic “washer” that goes behind the crank in front of the round spring attached inside the side panel. I have replaced the U shaped spring clip that fits inside the crank. What am I doing wrong? Or do I have a haunted car?

 

Have you tried adjusting the clip? squeeze it tighter.

 

You're sure the clip is actually snapping into the groove on the crank shaft when you push the handle on?

 

Yup. I even tried putting two clips on at once!

 

Pretty sure. I feel a click when I push it in. I’m wondering if maybe the coil spring in the door could be in the wrong place. Like not in its holder. Of course, you can’t see in there very well.

 

It should snap in and if it isn't in the slot you should be able to pull if off with a little pressure with a trim tool. I know what you mean hard to see. As a test you might try installing it without the plastic washer/protector and see if it is holding it away from the slot other wise I vote for it to be haunted..... Tedd

 

It's the evil window crank goblin!
Seriously, some cranks have a nib/nub/tit cast in the outside edge, and sometimes it can prevent the clip ends from going all the way down the slot. Give it a good eyeballin' next time. Might have to flip the clip around 180. Also, the washer goes on first, in case you weren't doing that.

 

I’ll check for nibs tomorrow. I’ve been putting the plastic washer on the back of the crank and pushing it on as a unit. Is that wrong?

 

Sounds like Christine to me.

I had a Christine car once. She loved me. My ex wife? Ha ha not so much. 67 Newport Custom. Cool car one owner. Silver. Black top. Red interior. It was loaded. Power bench seat even. Everytime she got out of that car it would shock her. Ha ha.

 

No, not wrong. Just don't sandwich it between the clip and crank. It's there to keep the clip ends from tearing up the door panel.

 

Is the crank a repro make in China? I replaced all the door handles and cranks in my 54 with repros from Fusick. I didn't have the problem you are having but one of the window cranks stripped out because the splines were not deep enough. I found a nice used one and replaced it.

 

No. I think it’s original. I bent the clip in a bit. There was no restriction in the clip slots. It’s back on now, we’ll see how long it stays on. I getting a new driveway poured on Monday so the 55 will be in garage for three weeks or so.