How to Repair Crank Windows
Over time, the crank on a window can become more and more difficult to operate. Opening and closing a crank window does not have to be torture every time. Repairing the crank mechanism is not that difficult, and the result is a crank that runs smoothly. Follow a few simple steps to get your crank window operating as if it were new. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Pry bar
- Solvent or kerosene
- Soft wire brush
- Household oil
- White grease
- Cloth towel
Instructions
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1
Open the window and extricate the arm from the track. Go outside and work from that angle if this proves difficult to do from indoors. Look for any screws attaching the arm to the window sash, and remove them with a screwdriver.
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2
Locate the mounting screws on the inside of the window that secure the crank mechanism hardware the window. If no mounting screws are visible, loosen the setscrew that holds the handle to the shaft. Look for a snap-on plastic cover that is placed over the screws to hide them from view.
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3
Slice through any paint between the window and the trim, using a utility knife. Use a pry bar to remove the trim extending from side to side if you still cannot locate any mounting screws. Be careful of the potential for nails sticking out during this process, although not all cases will involve nails.
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4
Apply a solvent or kerosene to the gearbox. Clean the gearbox using a soft wire brush. Try to operate the crank mechanism while checking to see if the gears are meshing together and are not damaged or worn down.
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Try to locate the name of the window manufacturer somewhere on either the crank or the window if the gears are damaged or worn and you need a replacement part. Be sure to check the metal spacer located between the panes of an insulated window to see if the name is printed there. If you can't locate the manufacturer's name, you'll need to bring the old part to the hardware store so an employee can identify the correct piece to order.
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Go back outside and use the solvent and the wire brush to clean the track located on the underside of the window sash. Make sure you have removed as much of the caked-on grease as possible so it won't hinder operation when you crank the window open and shut.
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Use household oil to lightly lubricate the window operator, and then reinstall it. The steps for this process are the exact reverse of the steps you took to remove the operator. Lubricate the track located on the window sash's underside using white grease. Reattach the arm to the sash and test the window crank. Use a cloth towel to thoroughly clean away any excess grease before it has a chance to become caked on.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
