I often take for granted all of the things that my husband knows how to do….like today. Our awning window crank broke….one minute it was fine and the next it wouldn’t close. I am guessing that for a lot of people that would be a big deal, but Mr. Amazing has been fixing these since he was in high school. His grandmother lived in a moble home and it seems like they were breaking all of the time.
This time I grabbed my camera and tried the best I could to show you what he did….I figure that my daughters…nephews…and you out there in blogland might need this information some day…
For accuracy I am going to let him explain it all.
The type of window that we have is called an awning window, but several types of windows use cranks similar to the one shown below. Typically, the pressed in fitting under the handle gear dislodges, and when you try to open or close the window, the worm gear attached to the crank handle just screws out. There will be no warning.
The first step is to remove the screws, usually three, from the crank mechanism. You do this from inside the house. With those screws removed you can open the window manually from outside by gently and evenly pulling the window panels open.
Next, you go outside and carefully remove the “e” clips that hold the crank lever to the window mechanism. This is easily done by gently prying the clip off with a small screwdriver and needle nose pliers. The picture actually shows me reinstalling the clips on the new part.
With the “e” clip removed, the crank lever pulls off of the window post and the crank mechanism is easily removed from inside the house.
Take the mechanism with you to your local hardware store. There are dozens of similar but different mechanisms, and you won’t get the right one without the old one to compare with. To install the new part, simply reverse the steps. Be careful of those “e” clips. They are VERY easy to lose! Thankfully, your local hardware store will have replacement clips if one disappears into the yard. Good luck!
$12 and about one hour later…..including the trip to the hardware store and all…the window was fixed ….told you he is amazing.
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
inspiredwife
Do you hire him out?
Hi, Dianne
I so so glad to find your info on replacing a crank for my awning window. Your husband sounds like my Dad. He too was so smart about things and I tried to learn alot while he was still alive, but I lost him some years ago. I need to make most repairs aroung my home myself because of very low finances, but ther is just so much I can do myself. The repairs never end! I have not tried this yet, but with your pictures and input I can at least try. The window is not closing all the way now and leaks air which is not good in Florida where we try to keep the a/c in. Thank you so much.
Good Luck….I have never done it but he really does make it look like it is easy…I just know that it is important to take the broken piece with you to the hardware store because there are so many different sizes.