Abstract: A counterbalance pinion gear arrangement for a vehicle window regulator employing a guide track and flexible rack rotary-to-linear motion converter. The pinion gear is meshed with the rack and includes a spiral spring operative upon translation of the rack to rotate the pinion. The spiral spring stores energy when the window is lowered such that the spring assists in raising the window. The pinion may be used interchangeable on either side of a vehicle by providing a mirror image spring capturing cleat formed on the radial interior of the pinion rim releasably retaining a hooked end of the spiral spring. The pinion gear teeth have a blank portion to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the regulator prior to its mounting in a vehicle.