63E door panel removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 722
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From: S.F. ( E. Bay) Calif.
63E door panel removal
I received the tool for removing the "C" clips from behind the handles today. I have a shop manual and AIM, also. Are there any tips or things to watch out for in this process that anyone cares to share? I want to access the door opening mechanism on the driver's side.It is very sloppy when I pull back the handle when opening, and flops around. I will take an inventory of the worn parts while open. Are there other parts that should be replaced "While I'm There"? Thanks- lib
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
It pretty straight foreward. Neither the clips or the tool are precise.
Just gotta fish around until you get a feel for it. The interior handle assembly is a no brainer too. The solutions will be obvious. The clip that attaches the inside handle rod to the latch mechanisim is a real b!t%h. My hands are too big.
Just gotta fish around until you get a feel for it. The interior handle assembly is a no brainer too. The solutions will be obvious. The clip that attaches the inside handle rod to the latch mechanisim is a real b!t%h. My hands are too big.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
The clip behind the door lock is smaller than the window crank and your tool may not work there. I found fitting a thin rag under the reflector and holding the two ends as you pull around the shaft will dislodge the clip. This will work on the window crank also if you find the tool fighting you. Dave
Dave
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 5
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I removed the old and then the new door panels three or four times each. I found the tool to be essential for C-clip installation, but not very useful on C-clip removal. I almost scratched the new panels trying to force the tool deep into the gap trying to unseat the clip with only the thin edge of the wide tool.
Now I can gently force open the space between the handle and the panel with a larger round-edged screwdriver, just enough to look inside with a flashlight and see the end of the clip without damaging anything, then slide a small screwdriver in sideways, turn it cross ways against the end of the C-clip, and pop it out in about 30 seconds.
To re-install the C-clip, pre-load it onto the edge of the handle, just on the verge of popping into the slots, with insertion side of the tool engaged on the clip and held in place without pushing inward, then slide the **** down over the regulator post (with the desired handle orientation), then push inward on the tool to snap the C-clip in place, also in about 30 seconds.
Now I can gently force open the space between the handle and the panel with a larger round-edged screwdriver, just enough to look inside with a flashlight and see the end of the clip without damaging anything, then slide a small screwdriver in sideways, turn it cross ways against the end of the C-clip, and pop it out in about 30 seconds.
To re-install the C-clip, pre-load it onto the edge of the handle, just on the verge of popping into the slots, with insertion side of the tool engaged on the clip and held in place without pushing inward, then slide the **** down over the regulator post (with the desired handle orientation), then push inward on the tool to snap the C-clip in place, also in about 30 seconds.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
To re-install the C-clip, pre-load it onto the edge of the handle, just on the verge of popping into the slots, with insertion side of the tool engaged on the clip and held in place without pushing inward, then slide the **** down over the regulator post (with the desired handle orientation), then push inward on the tool to snap the C-clip in place, also in about 30 seconds.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 722
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From: S.F. ( E. Bay) Calif.
Panel removed today- worn parts w/fotos
The removal went well. Sometimes the tool worked, other times screwdrivers got the clip started. No casualties or blood spilled in process. Hope the same for the re-install.
It appears the center stud of the mechanism is worn and allows the handle to flop around. The spring on mech. is also broken. The return spring on the door rod assembly and the lock all work fine. I'll clean and lube those before closing. Check out the layers of carpet that Bubba taped to the inner door around the vent window opening handle. I couldn't figure out how that handle wasn't as tight to door as others. Now I know. I'll see if they sell that spacer like the one for the window handle below it. Also, I noticed some of the inner felt at the top of the panel is missing. Is that a difficult process replacing? It appears there were some rivets and some screws holding it on door. Any recommendations on where to get good replacement parts? Time to get out the parts catalogs and start my Xmas shopping early! Thanx- lib
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=Mechanismspacers.jp g" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/Mechanismspacers.jpg" border="0" alt="Mechanism+spacers"></a>
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=mechanism.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/mechanism.jpg" border="0" alt="Mechanism"></a>
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=Innerfelt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/Innerfelt.jpg" border="0" alt="Inner felt"></a>
It appears the center stud of the mechanism is worn and allows the handle to flop around. The spring on mech. is also broken. The return spring on the door rod assembly and the lock all work fine. I'll clean and lube those before closing. Check out the layers of carpet that Bubba taped to the inner door around the vent window opening handle. I couldn't figure out how that handle wasn't as tight to door as others. Now I know. I'll see if they sell that spacer like the one for the window handle below it. Also, I noticed some of the inner felt at the top of the panel is missing. Is that a difficult process replacing? It appears there were some rivets and some screws holding it on door. Any recommendations on where to get good replacement parts? Time to get out the parts catalogs and start my Xmas shopping early! Thanx- lib
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=Mechanismspacers.jp g" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/Mechanismspacers.jpg" border="0" alt="Mechanism+spacers"></a>
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=mechanism.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/mechanism.jpg" border="0" alt="Mechanism"></a>
<a href="http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/?action=view¤t=Innerfelt.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj98/frankeez2/Frankeez%20Door/Innerfelt.jpg" border="0" alt="Inner felt"></a>
Last edited by lib; Oct 2, 2010 at 09:04 PM. Reason: Can't get foto links to work. Used same process in past w/Photobucket and worked then. Will try again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: S.F. ( E. Bay) Calif.
Best Lubricant for mechanism?
I've recv'd all my parts for the door, so plan on re-assembling this week-end. The door pull mechanism appears to made out of fairly light weight metal riveted together. What would be best/good lubricant for the center post of the mechanism? I was considering trying to force some Lubri-plate type lube between the metal pieces that pivot on the center post. I'm also going to reach inside the door and clean and lube as much of the door lock linkage and rods as possible. Any better/other ideas?Thanx- lib
