I have a 72 with manual windows. I have the door panels installed with the window cranks plastic washers and c-clips. The problem is occasionally I try to roll the window up or down and the handle just turns freely. I then have to push and hold the crank in (towards the door panel) in order for the teeth to engage. What am I doing wrong?

I sounds like you left the little wire horseshoe clip off that holds the window crank onto the splines of the shaft that stick out through the door panel. When you push the crank onto the shaft, the horse shoe wire must be squeezed so when it is in the crank, you will see it sticking down inside the crank. It will look like two loops hanging down inside the crank. The splined shaft has about a 45 degree ramp on the front, so when you push the window crank onto the shaft the ramp allows the two loops inside the crank to slide up the ramp and down behind the splined shaft to "LOCK" the crank onto the splined shaft. If the crank is locked onto the shaft and you have to push the crank in to move the window, Check the crank you may have splines missing or gone from the crank handle, or missing splines on the lift assembly. Most of the times the "pot metal" cranks wear the splines out inside the crank handle. If the crank is good and attached to the shaft and not slipping on the shaft, I think the next step is pull the door panel off and start an investagation!!! Bob ACES--AACA-ncoa

OPPS-- Sorry Texas guy, You have the "C" clips in place. MY fault!!
I am guessing bad splines in window crank. That is the best to hope for. If both crank and splines are OK. Has to be the window lift gears. I bent up one of mine trying to stop an air "whistle" while driving down the road. Had to replace the whole D@M lift assembly. Bob

Bob, the problem wouldn't have anything to do with the cone shaped springs that ride on the shaft behind the door panel, would it. I heard the springs keep the crank handle from rubbing the door panel.

Is this happening on just one window or all of them???

Both window cranks on driver side

Roy the small end of the spring goes facing the spline on the metal part of door the big end of spring faces the cardboard door panel. I guess splines on both -crank and lift assmb. are OK. I would take the door panel off 15 min. then put the crank on the splined shaft. And keep looking. Did the window crank work befor you did any work on the door? Bob

When the panel is off 'jiggle' the splined assembly on the regulator...if she is real loosy goosy you probably need a new regulator....drivers side loose regulator elements in these 60 era cars is a relatively common thing...don't know that this has anything to do with your problem however but maybe...

thanks..i'm looking into all the good info. provided

Are you using aftermarket cranks?I have seen brand new ones that are just too loose in the forging of the splines.I have a set of regulators if you want to try that.Pm me if you want