C1 Window Regulator

[Richard H.]

Unable to secure window crank handle to regulator shaft. The head of the regulator shaft with the gear threads barely protrudes through the door panel opening, Given that there is a space in the window crank before its threads engages the shaft, I would think the regulator shaft would need to protrude further through the opening for complete engagement. I have a 60 regulator in my 58 door as I did not believe there would be a functional difference even though the 59 and 62 have a sharper bend on the long arm. Could that contribute to the crank mounting problem I am having?

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

Richard, you may have a repro door panel that is thicker than the original '58 or '60; thus causing a clearance problem. It takes me about 30 minutes to get the spring clip in place on my 1960; pushing in on the spring, inserting the tool between the nylon spacer and the handle, and snapping it in place is difficult for me. My car is in the shop with the door panel off. I will stop by and measure how much the shaft protrudes from the panel, at least on a 1960, and let you know.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

I'll offer another possibility. I rebuilt the regulators on my 1960. I had trouble finding parts, particularly the piece your refer to, the shaft/crank assembly. I bought parts off eBay for a 57 chevy passenger car and it looked just like the one for the vette. When I got it, it was the same overall size, but the shaft was 1/4" or more shorter than the vette one.

May not be your problem but worth looking into.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

Richard, On a '59, I just measured from the flat surface of the fiberglass surrounding the gear mechanism. It's 1 1/8". The gear face is just about flush to the fiberglass.

I see in my parts books, 56-58 is a different part number than 59-62. I'm unsure if the shaft length varied.

Joe, I insert the spring clip in the handle, push the crank onto the shaft, and give it a good smack with my fist or rubber hammer.

Rich

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

Here's a picture from my 1960. From the base of the shaft to the tip, I get about 1". The surrounding gear mechanism stand out a little from the fiberglass, so overall it would probably be about 1 1/8" as Rich measured.

Window crank shaft.jpg

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

I measured the part of the shaft on my 1960 that extends past the door panel and it is no longer than 1/2"

[Stephen R.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

On my 59, I just put the spring clip in the handle cut out, locate the handle in the proper configuration, stand behind the door with my knee as a support and then wack the handle with my fist or rubber mallet until the handle/clip seat on the shaft. Takes about 30 seconds.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

Richard, you may have a repro door panel that is thicker than the original '58 or '60; thus causing a clearance problem. It takes me about 30 minutes to get the spring clip in place on my 1960; pushing in on the spring, inserting the tool between the nylon spacer and the handle, and snapping it in place is difficult for me. My car is in the shop with the door panel off. I will stop by and measure how much the shaft protrudes from the panel, at least on a 1960, and let you know.

Joe -

You install the "omega" clip on the handle first, position the handle on the regulator spindle, and just smack it with your hand to install it.

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

I installed the clip on the handle first, positioned it on the handle, and with a coupe of strokes using a rubber mallet it installed. Thanks all for your very valuable input; as usual it makes the challenging endeavor of restoring Corvettes more successful.

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Window Regulator

Don, Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated. Installation was successful. Rich