The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors Window regulator spring ’46 Chevy 1/2 ton

One of the regulator springs was partially broken and reused by the PO. The problem is the window regulator automatically closes because the spring is wound too tight. I have a replacement new spring to install, but before I go dinking with this a couple of questions.


What is the recommended way to remove the old spring?

What is the recommended way to install the replacement spring.?

Thanks

Mine was riveted in. I drilled them out and used screws to reinstall. Also the after market did not fit. I had to cut some off and bend the end to fit. This is the spring in the area the crank shaft is housed.

Thank you GW! This one doesn’t appear to be riveted on, but attaches on the inner part of the coil to a channel in a protruding cylinder on the regulator and on the outer coil portion with the hooked end of the spring to a lug on another part of the regulator. The coiled spring looks to be under a load at all times, which is why I am wanting to be careful monkeying around with this. Ahh....at least for me, seemingly simple tasks on this learning adventure have more than I am embarrassed to admit have resulted in an adventure best avoided had I only slowed down and asked someone.

I’d post a photo, but apparently IPad software applications aren’t compatible with the posting feature offered here.

Lee, you may have to resize your images to post them. Did you get a “File too large memo” when you tried to upload? If so one of the programs listed in the “Posting images” Policy will cure your problem. I’m just guessing as I haven’t tried to post images from my iPad.

I tried resizing the photos and posting. A message pops up saying words to the effect that the software used is not supported by the Stovebolt host software. My guess is it is a conflict between the Android vs Apple systems?

Update
Replaced the spring using vice grips and cautioning advice from the guys at the body shop. One of the shop guys reported he’d severely cut two fingers removing a similar spring design.

Another job crossed off the list. It won’t be long now.🛠

I sure hope so!

The large counter balance spring did not keep the window up on my truck. I had several and none would hold the window up. It was the small spring in the crank shaft that worked for me.

Gene
Discovered this morning that there is still a problem with the crank. I will order a window regulator clutch spring from Chevy of the 40’s. Looks like they are the only ones that carry that part.
Oh well...there are other tasks on the project needing done too, so in the meantime maybe something else will get completed.

Good luck

Well.... The replacement window regulator clutch spring arrived today. Hope this would be a win for the week went to a zero...fast. Drilled and punched out the three rivets in housing, then cleaned all the parts and removed the old and broken spring. The new spring was too big and needs modification, as GW previously indicated in his experience. I moved on for the remainder of the day to other project tasks on the list. Needed to cool off and think some about that spring, remedy and maybe other options.

Am I the only guy working on these old iron heaps that thinks repop parts should come with a free flask of Irish whisky? At least then there might be a bit of luck the stuff fits/works without modification.

Update and end of the report for this task.

SUCCESS!!! A window regulator repair kit from Jim Carter’s was the winning repair option.