Fixing a broken window crank

I don't know anything about windows; not even the proper terminology.
My house is 23 years old. The windows have a crank and open sideways. The only word I can find on them is "Truth". Doing a google search, it is not clear if that is a window manufacturer or not. A really lousy picture of the crank is at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~toller/crank.jpg
Apparently I don't know much about using cameras either.
One window, the one we open most of course, is broken. The crank just turns and nothing happens. Presumably a piece of the mechanism is broken.
So, how do I go about fixing this? Is Truth a window manufacturer? Are they still in business? How do I get parts? How do I take it apart to install the parts?
Thanks much

Toller wrote:I don't know anything about windows; not even the proper terminology. My house is 23 years old. The windows have a crank and open sideways. The only word I can find on them is "Truth". Doing a google search, it is not clear if that is a window manufacturer or not. A really lousy picture of the crank is at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~toller/crank.jpg
Apparently I don't know much about using cameras either. One window, the one we open most of course, is broken. The crank just turns and nothing happens. Presumably a piece of the mechanism is broken. So, how do I go about fixing this? Is Truth a window manufacturer? Are they still in business? How do I get parts? How do I take it apart to
install the parts?
Should be a couple/few screws attaching the body to the window frame. Open the window, remove 'em, and the whole thing should wiggle out of the window. Look at what you're doing, and you'll figure it out. The arm will slide out the channel on the bottom of the window. Measure the length from the pivot pin to the end of the arm, either 8 or 9 inches, usually. Right or left handed. Go to the hardware store, and buy a new one. Of course, if the sill's been tiled, or built up in any way, things will be tougher... Tom

tom wrote:
  Quoted Text Here  
I had similar problems with an Andersen casement window recently... it opened OK but the gears would slip horribly when I tried to close it.
Complicating things was the fact that the mechanism had been installed in a mortise within the trim... made it very difficult to release the mechanism in order to replace it without possibly chewing up the trim. What I found once I got it exposed though was that the mechanism was held together by two nuts and bolts.... and they were loose. Once I tightened them back up the mechanism worked just fine. I didn't spend a dime on the repair.
Don't be so quick to order a replacement until you know for a fact one is needed.

In lieu of replacement you could always remove the assemble from a window which you never open and exchange the parts. Of course, finding the company and doing a true repair is the better way. You might just try a window replacement company with parts in hand and see if they have a compatable part - Lowe's or HD are a possibility too.
  Quoted Text Here  
The
turns

"Truth" is the name of the hardware manufacturer not the window maker, I know they have a website because I accessed it a few years ago to find a replacement for one of mine that broke. It is www.truth.com. I found a catalog to identify mine, and a list of distributors, some in my area of Canada, where I got an exact replacement.
  Quoted Text Here  
not

  Quoted Text Here  
This is accurate information. The Truth brand is available in a lot of places. There may be an ID # on your "operator" to identify the exact part you need. Blaine Windows at www.blainewindow.com stocks the replacement parts. I'm sure other companies do also but I always like to give a free plug to companies that have treated me right.
Colbyt

http://www.ehow.com/how_115125_repair-faulty-window.html
  Quoted Text Here  

  Quoted Text Here  
terminology.
sideways. The
  Quoted Text Here  
is not
  Quoted Text Here  
just turns
  Quoted Text Here  
Are
to
Go to one of the home centers and look for casement window crank replacements. Removal should be obvious. Remove the crank handle, the cover will come off, and the screws holding the mechanism to the window frame will be exposed...

I appreciated everyones help on this; especially about finding Truth at Truth.com...
Sadly, the screws are below the molding, and the side molding prevents removing the bottom molding so it all has to be ripped apart to get at it. If I want to swap hardware from an unused window, that means ripping apart two windows.
I will get at it some day.

  Quoted Text Here  
Some dumb, perhaps much too obvious, questions: Is the handle rotating on the geared shaft, is the handle set screw loose? Has the geared shaft the handle sits on backed out so it's not engaging the gear in the body? Can you tighten it back down into the body?