tubman

I'll probably get a bunch of criticism on this, but here goes. The interior door latch on my '67 coupe quit working. Getting the vent window handle of was not bad (I have power windows) but removing the interior lock **** is quite difficult. It is recessed deeply into the door panel and it is almost impossible to get a regular clip remover on it. I finally got it off without damaging the vinyl, but there were some deep indentations in the door panel that took a long while to work their way out. I found a broken spring in the mechanism, and when I couldn't find a suitable replacement at my local Corvette parts supplier (Ace Hardware), I ordered one from LIC.

I really like driving this car, and couldn't see putting it up for a week or so waiting for parts or driving around without a door panel. This is when I had a brilliant idea! I put a dab of JB Weld on the unserrated portion of the respective shafts and re-installed the lock **** and handle. I put 2 pieces of masking tape on them to hold them in place and let them sit overnight. The next day I sent the LIC order in, and went on to drive the car normally. Everything worked right and when the part showed up a week or so later, I decided to install it when I had time. A sharp rap on the lock **** and handle with a rubber hammer and off they came! I put in the part and re-assembled the door panel. The final thing was to install the lock **** and vent window handle. I thought about it a while, and then committed the unforgivable sin of re-installing the handle and **** with some more JB weld, leaving the regular clips in the ash tray where I could find them.

It' been a couple of months now, and no problems. If this works for much longer, I think I am in the position where I will no longer have to deal with those "Jesus Christ clips" that have been the bane of my existance for the last 50 years on just about every car I have owned. I smile every time I think about that!

R66

Just hope the **** and handle come off the next time you need to remove the door panel!!

65hihp

That's one of the most detailed descriptions of how to create a bubba that I have read in a while.
Thanks Bubba!

tubman

You're welcome. You can keep taking chances on screwing up a set of original door panels on your car if you want, but not me!

Jackfit

I use weather strip adhesive on the lock *****, saves the pain of digging into the panel. Don't worry about doing a little bubba...

After 47 years of ownership...I can do what's nessarry to keep maintenance easy

Bluestripe67

I'm with 'ya Jack. Jack for president! Dennis

ricks327

Let us know the next time you hit the **** and the shaft breaks off instead of the ****.

babbah

Bubba is alive and well

65hihp

"Lazy man's tip...." sums it up.

Pity the next owner who spends days fighting to get the Jesus Christ clips out only to find there are none there. Those clips where tossed out years before with the cig butts.

Mikado463

tub, thanks for the write up ! nothing wrong with a different approach so long as your results are what you want

ricks327

The problem will be the next owner of the car is not knowing what Bubba did.

Mikado463

hopefully a 'full disclosure' will be in order ! ....

65hihp

Bubba still lives!

We've got half the posters on this forum espousing this philosophy, and the other half describing their never ending trials and tribulations with project creep as they uncover and undo bubbas in their cars!

Is this a wonderful country or what?

ejboyd5

I wonder what the comments might be on that other Corvette forum.

65hihp

Let's hopefully not find out. Some people retch just thinking about it.

Jackfit

Just got off the bike. Pittsburgh to DC. 360 miles...no arm or rear end problems. Fun listening to political discussions in the bar of the DuPont Circle Hotel

The next owner of my car will read the instructions on the door locks in my will!

Jack

Bluestripe67

WOW Jack, you did it. Glad your back. What hotel did you stay at? Dennis

DansYellow66

FWIW - I've found on my car that removing the door lock **** is reasonably easy by pushing in on the door panel and snaking a hooked pick in to snag the clip and drag it back. By pushing in on the panel I can usually see the clip - barely, but enough to hook it.

Jackfit

DuPont Circle Hotel...taking a nap now

4 Speed Dave

And if the JB Weld doesn't work my I suggest Red Loctite.