1939 Buick Special Window/Vent crank handle

[fosbreed1]

How does the knob detach from the window/ vent crank handle of a 1939 Buick/GM ?

[1937McBuick]

Pretty good chance the knob is press fit onto the peg that is riveted onto the handle.

I assume the ability to rotate is between the peg and handle.

Edited January 6, 2023 by 1937McBuick
Error in intended description (see edit history)

[1939_Buick]

Knob is attached/cast into the spindle.  The spindle should rotate in the handle, but often does not.  Spindle has a rivet to keep it together/in the handle

Photos is replacement plastic's made by Knobsoup.

Skip Boyer of PA also makes and sells on ebay as "bardroy" (if I recall correctly). His glue onto the original spindle

 

Link-->https://forums.aaca.org/topic/188143-reproduction-knob-source/

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[1937McBuick]

Can the tight/seized knobs be turned at all,  even somewhat?  They might have to be turned back and forth enough to loosen them until they can be fully rotated,  then turned some more to loosen them up even more until they rotate smoothly.

 

I actually believe once they're assembled, they're not meant to come apart again...

Whether pressed or glued onto the spindle,  or the spindle riveted to the handle.

 

Are you trying to replace the plastic knob?    When I bought replacement knobs for my 37....  I drilled the riveted end of the spindle off so it and the knob could be a removed from the handle.   Then the handles were chromed.   I had a machine shop make spindles the knobs could be securely pressed onto after the spindles were riveted onto the handles.

 

I was satisfied with the end results.

[fosbreed1]

Thank you both for your input, it is very helpful. I can now proceed with my upgrades

[Gary W]

When I did my '37, all my knobs and plastic parts were cracked, stained, broken, missing......  in need of replacement.

 

I removed all the plastic knobs from the handles.  (Some pulled off, others required breaking them off.)

 

I sent the handles out to Paul's Chrome.  They re-chromed everything and the end still spins.

 

I painted the recesses black, then reinstalled the new replacement knobs using the vice and silicone to help them slip on.

 

 

Some of the knobs and handles as removed from the car during the teardown phase.

 

 

The parts when they returned from Paul's Chrome.  The stud still freely turns.  This was painting the recesses.

 

 

With a couple towels for protection, and silicone to add slipperiness, I slowly and steadily applied pressure in the vice

 

 

Almost home, the new knob takes it place

 

 

Here's the finished part ready to be installed in the car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[buick looks fine for 39]

looks great thanks for the photos

                                        Leif

[fosbreed1]

Thank you Gary W I'm looking forward to getting my handles looking as good as yours !

[fosbreed1]

Thank you Gary W I'm looking forward to getting my handles looking as good as yours !

I noticed the steering wheel on your 37 is intact and uncracked! Lucky you !