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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Kia Rio Stubborn Manual Window Handle/Crank Removal

If you have recently had the pleasure of removing the door panel on a newer Kia Rio with manual window handles, then I'm sure your gonna know what I'm talking out in this post.

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
What makes removing this handle so difficult is the fact the retention clip is recessed, and the handel is very tightly fit up against the door panel. It's nearly impossible to see the clip without damaging the handle or the door panel, and if you can't see the clip and can't feel the removal tool catching on anything then it becomes pretty frustrating. 

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
This is how I ended up removing the handle. Take your standard window handle removal tool and slightly bend the corners up. 

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
Slowly insert the removal tool, with both handles facing the same direction between the door panel and the plastic friction ring. At the same time you will need to turn the plastic friction ring to get it orientated in the right position to allow you to get the removal tool seated correctly against the retention clip.    

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
This is what will keep the handle removal tool from being seated correctly against the retention clip.

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
This is the position the plastic friction ring needs to be in. The only way you'll be able to tell if it's in this orientation is by feeling for the clip with the handle removal tool.

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
Once it is seated correctly,

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
Slightly turn the handle and pull off, while keeping the removal tool in place.

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal

Kia Rio Manual Window Handle Crank Removal
Now you should be able to remove a couple screws and have the panel off in no time.
Hope this helps!
- Jeremy's Car Audio Tips


9 comments:

  1. Thank You so much!!!!!!!

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  2. if i dont have a removal tool, how do i get the panel open? :( am at a dead end here

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  3. Just wanted to thank you for this post. This is the EXACT same window crank design on the 2012+ RB Accent and I was going to roll my car over a cliff because I couldn't get past STEP ONE of a bloody speaker upgrade.

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  4. Just wanted to thank you for this post. This is the EXACT same window crank design on the 2012+ RB Accent and I was going to roll my car over a cliff because I couldn't get past STEP ONE of a bloody speaker upgrade.

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  5. Thank you for this post! This is exactly what I needed to get the window crank off my 07 Rio.

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  6. Going to split mine down the middle with a dremel grinding disc. Then replace with Universals.

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  7. Thanks mate!!!! Was a bloody nightmare until I read this.....

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  8. Thanks, this had me saying bad words very loudly, bending the tool worked like a charm

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