well my drivers side window crank broke again...and I just noticed the passenger side one does not match (cover is slightly different) so I know this is a silly question as it is such an inexpensive part but who makes the best replacement and most closely to original cover design?

Go over to theSamba.com and find some original German ones. The Brazil ones are not so hot.

Lube up all the sliding and moving parts (remove the door cards) when it slides easier, less pressure on the handle.

Pretty much true for the rest of the car as well.

Auto Atlanta, Sierra Madre, Stoddards, Einmalig, & others carry them.

Buy 2 now so that they match, & put the odd one in your glovebox for a spare in the emergency.

As Mark said - make sure that the crank, guides, regulator, etc. are cleaned then relubed with clean grease so they work less hard.

If you look at the SMC ones on the page linked below, the chrome shank one was used 70-72 & some early 73s, the thin black shank was 73-74 & the fat shank was 75-76 MYs IIRC (there was probably some inter-MY mixing on the last 2 types as well) - contrary to what they list no there. And they would've tracked with the VW change over MYs as well, & they're basically VW parts, so you can find them at some VW parts houses too.

FYI with pix -
http://www.sierramadrecollection.com/914-9...or-Panels-c957/


Tom
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We have them as well. And a few other parts others dont have.
https://shop.914rubber.com/searchquick-subm...keywords=Window

We actually make the rollers for the scisor mechanism.