Outer Door Handle Replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Ocean City Maryland
Outer Door Handle Replacement
This issue is driving me crazy, does anyone know the secret handshake on replacing the outer door handle on my C3? took the door panel off and WOW, how am I supposed to get to the nuts that hold it to the door? Once I can get that done then the rest should be a piece of cake right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
yup, unscrew the 3 screws on the back of the door that hold the latch. Once it drops down, then you have much better access to the 2 nuts that hold the door handle on. After doing that, it wasn't a hard process at all to replace mine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
Nope, but have heard horror stories. I was fortunate enough to find NOS from a local guy at the same cost as the repro.
The replacement is a b*tch even with the secret formula, and so many of the handles (OEM AND Repro) get limp; that's why I made the suggestion. One old-timer told me the easy way to tell the difference is in weight -- the OEM are much heavier than the repops.
Steve
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Vero Beach Florida
I'm gonna take a chance and buy the repros - we drive our '81 twice a week. I would think a cheap handle could survive THAT much abuse! Besides, I was told it was a "bitch" to replace the light switch - it took me about ten minutes and was no problem.
My confidence is high switching out the door handles will go smoothly!
...Alan K.
My confidence is high switching out the door handles will go smoothly!
...Alan K.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
So is everybody saying that the ones from Trim Parts are OK Repo's?
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=6199
I sure hope so!!
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=6199
I sure hope so!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Before you go buy a new one, thoroughly clean the ones you have now. Unless it's actually broken, the original should work perfectly after being cleaned and lubed. I did this to both of mine and are now smooth as silk.
Glenn
Glenn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Ocean City Maryland
RE: Door Handle Replacement
Thanks to all for the tips, right now I put in a helper spring to keep the door handle up until it gets warmer around here and I can take my time doing it
Thanks again
Thanks again