1974 Outer door handle removal???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: London ON
1974 Outer door handle removal???
Got 2 days off and decided to swap out my original outer door handles. I did a search and got nothing and went back 25 pages on C3 general and found nothing as well. I have a shop manual and removed the door panel and the freeze/water shield. Fortunately the rear nut holding the handle was not on all the way and I was able to remove it by hand. What tool has anyone modified to tighten this rear nut up. There is little to no room to get anything in there. I have not removed the locks yet. Is this the key to remove the arm that attaches to the handle? I can't seem to unhook it otherwise.
Thank you to all that reply and have a happy and safe Labor day.
GEORGE
Thank you to all that reply and have a happy and safe Labor day.
GEORGE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
On my 79 I could loosen/tighten the nuts with a small ratchet with a long extension, not sure if clearance is similar on a 74.
For the "rod", it was easier to undo it at the bottom (loosen screw that holds it into the latch parts) rather than remove it from the handle. Then you can get the rod off withthe whole handle off the car. Putting it back on takes a few tries to line it up while dropping it back in.
For the "rod", it was easier to undo it at the bottom (loosen screw that holds it into the latch parts) rather than remove it from the handle. Then you can get the rod off withthe whole handle off the car. Putting it back on takes a few tries to line it up while dropping it back in.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
1/4 inch drive socket set. 12 inch "flex" extension. "Screwdriver handle" driver, not a ratchet.
Loosen/remove the screws in the door jamb and let the latch fall down to give you more room. Chuck
Loosen/remove the screws in the door jamb and let the latch fall down to give you more room. Chuck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: London ON
With the door mechanism lowered there is a ton of room. You could now use a wrench and tighten the bolt. A major difference!! Now if I can just re-install the lower clip hooking the arm to the mechanism I'll be done
Thanks
GEORGE
Thanks
GEORGE
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Correction on my first answer, I had my door apart again today and yup the one nut you can't reach was just left off.
I also tried to put on an aftermarket outside handle. What a piece of crap! Looked great in it's box, but didn't fit (had to grind a chunk off) and after an hour or so adjusting it, it wouldn't open the door, and it already started sagging down/not returning up. I took it out and put the original broken one back in, I'd rather keep opening the door from the inside than look at that P.O.S.
I also tried to put on an aftermarket outside handle. What a piece of crap! Looked great in it's box, but didn't fit (had to grind a chunk off) and after an hour or so adjusting it, it wouldn't open the door, and it already started sagging down/not returning up. I took it out and put the original broken one back in, I'd rather keep opening the door from the inside than look at that P.O.S.
