# Crank Windows Don't Quite Close **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 25, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796 "2012-03-25T22:50:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796/1 "2012-03-25T22:50:03Z")
I have those vertical windows that crank open and shut. (Casement windows?) anway, they are old, and many of them crank to within about a quarter inch of reaching the locking mechanism, then won’t crank any further. The wood isn’t sticking; if I go outside and push on them they close easily and then I can lock them. It’s just that the crank seems to have slipped it’s adjustment. Is this an easy fix? Anybody know where I can find a diagram or instructions? The house is rented and the landlord beyond useles, so finding the manual/manufacturer is not an option here. Thanks for any ideas! ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796/2 "2012-03-25T22:52:20Z")
And of course, I immediately (after several searches) found a good diagram: [http://www.parts-aw.com/Merchant2/graphics/Casement/1361562.jpg](http://www.parts-aw.com/Merchant2/graphics/Casement/1361562.jpg) still don’t see how to re-adjust it though. Any help? ---
**Author:** ![andyleonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@andyleonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyleonard)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796/3 "2012-03-26T03:29:29Z")
If they’re old, you may have worn gears in the mechanism and won’t be able to get that last little bit from the crank. An adjustment might be possible…but maybe you want a little something like a screw or a loop or a pin to grab and pull the window closed while locking it. Or you can replace the cranking mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796/4 "2012-03-26T08:01:36Z")
I’ve encountered this problem before too, my solution was basically what andyleonard proposed. I used a small eyehook screwed to the window near the latching mechanism, and ran fishing line from the hook through the screen, with a small washer at the end of the line for a handle. When the window was shut I hung the washer on a tack at the top of the window jam, which kept the slack fishing line out of the way. It wasn’t perfect but it worked ok. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crank-windows-dont-quite-close/616796/5 "2012-03-26T09:42:51Z")
Finances forced my to move into my dad’s last year. My brother’s old room has these windows and he had utilized the ‘hook & line’ method for one that was completely stripped. This however required constantly removing & replacing the screen and I quickly grew sick of that (plus I didn’t want my cat to escape). I found at Home Depot a repair kit for this type of mechanism. I think it was less than $15. You have to pry off the wood piece labeled \*\*STOP \*\*in your picture, remove & replace the crank mechanism, and tap the wooden STOP piece back on (just small finishing nails). I can barely hammer a nail straight and I found it pretty easy. [Home Depot page of parts listing…](http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Hardware-Fasteners-Window-Hardware-Operators/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaq8v/h_d2/Navigation?catalogId=10053&Nu=P_PARENT_ID&langId=-1&storeId=10051¤tPLP=true&omni=c_Operators&searchNav=true#/?c=1&12ky=12ky)