Interior door panel removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 7
Interior door panel removal
Any tricks to this
My door doesn't open from the outside so I'm guessing a link has dropped off
Can someone tell me any tricks, hidden pins, how the handles come off etc
Many Thanks
My door doesn't open from the outside so I'm guessing a link has dropped off
Can someone tell me any tricks, hidden pins, how the handles come off etc
Many Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 1,080
From: Aggieland TX
Hope this helps.
Dave Z
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 7
It's a 66
I have the idea but have given up after only managing to get the clip off the qtr window handle and I think I only managed that because it's missing the chrome space behind
I can't get the clips off with the sawing cloth technique.
Anyone got the dimensions for the special tool so I can make one as I'm guessing they're not available here in the UK?
I have the idea but have given up after only managing to get the clip off the qtr window handle and I think I only managed that because it's missing the chrome space behind
I can't get the clips off with the sawing cloth technique.
Anyone got the dimensions for the special tool so I can make one as I'm guessing they're not available here in the UK?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
The "special tool" never worked for me. The molded door panel material doesn't give enough to use it without damage. The only two methods I have been able to use are:
terry cloth (or t shirt material) rag, sawing back and forth to catch the end of the clip. It you saw in the opposite direction that the clip is facing, it won't catch anything. Try both. The lock **** is specially hard because of the molded panel around it.
And, once I figured out which way the clips faced, I was able to take a small pick with curved tip, rotate it so the tip was flat, slide it behind the ****, then rotate it an try to catch the curved end of the clip and pull it out.
Either way you get the clip off, it will fall behind the door panel, but no problem to retrieve.
terry cloth (or t shirt material) rag, sawing back and forth to catch the end of the clip. It you saw in the opposite direction that the clip is facing, it won't catch anything. Try both. The lock **** is specially hard because of the molded panel around it.
And, once I figured out which way the clips faced, I was able to take a small pick with curved tip, rotate it so the tip was flat, slide it behind the ****, then rotate it an try to catch the curved end of the clip and pull it out.
Either way you get the clip off, it will fall behind the door panel, but no problem to retrieve.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 1,080
From: Aggieland TX
It's a 66
I have the idea but have given up after only managing to get the clip off the qtr window handle and I think I only managed that because it's missing the chrome space behind
I can't get the clips off with the sawing cloth technique.
Anyone got the dimensions for the special tool so I can make one as I'm guessing they're not available here in the UK?
I have the idea but have given up after only managing to get the clip off the qtr window handle and I think I only managed that because it's missing the chrome space behind
I can't get the clips off with the sawing cloth technique.
Anyone got the dimensions for the special tool so I can make one as I'm guessing they're not available here in the UK?
I have used this hook successfully to remove the clips on cranks and lock ***** on our 60 and 65. It's worth a try.
The large flat tool available at most auto parts stores is difficult to get behind the lock ***** as mentioned above and shown in the PDF.
With either tool, it's critical to figure out the orientation of the clip on the shaft, in other words, "where's the loop"?
Hope this helps.
Dave Z
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 703
I have been using the special tool for 45 years and it has never let me down. You just need to get the right one. Mine looks exactly like the one in the picture below, but is made by K-D. The one in the picture says "Made in England". Try E-Bay.
.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 7
Thanks guys, Lots of useful tips and pictures/advice.
A really useful forum
I'm looking at that last tool above and wondering how it works?
Could it be that you come in from behind the clip and pull it back?
A really useful forum
I'm looking at that last tool above and wondering how it works?
Could it be that you come in from behind the clip and pull it back?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,141
Army
The "special tool" never worked for me. The molded door panel material doesn't give enough to use it without damage. The only two methods I have been able to use are:
terry cloth (or t shirt material) rag, sawing back and forth to catch the end of the clip. It you saw in the opposite direction that the clip is facing, it won't catch anything. Try both. The lock **** is specially hard because of the molded panel around it.
And, once I figured out which way the clips faced, I was able to take a small pick with curved tip, rotate it so the tip was flat, slide it behind the ****, then rotate it an try to catch the curved end of the clip and pull it out.
Either way you get the clip off, it will fall behind the door panel, but no problem to retrieve.
terry cloth (or t shirt material) rag, sawing back and forth to catch the end of the clip. It you saw in the opposite direction that the clip is facing, it won't catch anything. Try both. The lock **** is specially hard because of the molded panel around it.
And, once I figured out which way the clips faced, I was able to take a small pick with curved tip, rotate it so the tip was flat, slide it behind the ****, then rotate it an try to catch the curved end of the clip and pull it out.
Either way you get the clip off, it will fall behind the door panel, but no problem to retrieve.
Not rocket science people -- the videos in this link are on my C1 but I use a hooked pic to remove the door lock on my '63 the same way. I fumble a bit in the video because I'm juggling a camera while doing the job - it usually goes more easily. A bondo spreader protects the door panel.https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1584441554
The FLAPS tool works on the window crank but never seems to work for me on the door locks...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Aug 10, 2016 at 08:09 AM.