I am having a problem with my window crank handle. The car is a 1973 240z. I rebuilt the window mechanism a while ago but it has not had a great deal of use. The regulator works well. I removed the crank handle to work on the door card and I lost the spring (omega) clip. I bought some dorman clips but I am having an issue installing the handle.
The problem: the handle goes on the spline shaft but does not lock. If I keep pressure on the handle I can turn the crank and the window goes up/down. The quick answer is that the clip is the issue. Having said that when I look at the spline shaft on the regulator it is obvious that it has 50+ years on it, but the splines appear to be in reasonably good working order. This notion is supported by the operation of the handle with pressure applied toward the glass. I dont know how close the dorman clips are to the OEM clip, but it is close enough to fit the slots in the handle and it expands as it should to go over the shaft, but it does not lock on the shaft. If I look at the shaft I can't see or feel the groove for the clip. I fear that the groove is the issue and not simply the clip. The clip is on order and I suspect it will be a week before I see it.
Does anyone have experience with repairing the regulator shaft? I know what a pain it is to take the regulator out and install a new one and I am not looking forward to doing this. Has anyone restored or cut a new groove into the circumference of the shaft? If you've solved this issue I would appreciate the benefit of your experience. I have photos, but I don't think they add much to advance the issue.
Thanks in advance for your help.

On 7/15/2026 at 6:23 PM, qz16 said:

.... I dont know how close the dorman clips are to the OEM clip, ...

They are MUCH thicker. The stock ones are pretty thin (and not copper or bronze). I used to have a bag of the correct clips but I doubt that I still do. If I can find a spare in my bag, I'll post a picture.

from carpartsmanual.com: (maybe still available from Nissan??)

SPRING-RETAINING HAN
	54229-0201P

Edited July 20Jul 20 by cgsheen1

Checked Nissan, Still available from the dealer.

They used the same clip for a bunch of vehicles for a bunch of years...

It’s easy to chase these parts at the dealership. I. Merely call with the p/n, majority of the time if it’s still listed they get it from the whs no shipping cost.

Is there any reason why the door card could be either thicker or warped? I had to extend my splined regulator shaft because I replaced the vinyl with leather making it slightly thicker.