C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Outside Door handle spring - original type

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 05:33 PM
  #1  
79vetter's Avatar
79vetter
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Default Outside Door handle spring - original type

Has anyone successfully replaced the original springs in their door handles? .. the ones that run along the pin.. I am not talking about the aftermarket L-shaped spring that can be dropped in - or replacement door handles...
Has someone had luck finding a spring at a hardware store or off of some other product?
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #2  
Mako72's Avatar
Mako72
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 845
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

I did the driver's side many years ago. I can't remember where I bought it but the various vette venders carry them.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #3  
79vetter's Avatar
79vetter
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Default

Are you sure that you aren't thinking of the drop in kind? 'cause I've never seen them for sale.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 07:17 AM
  #4  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

I replaced those.
I think I got them from Paragon.
Of course, you need to remove the handle assy from the door in order to pull out the hinge pin to be able to insert the new spring.

Rgds. Günther

Edit: Your right, can't find the springs anymore in any of the big parts catalogues, strange.
I guess that a ordinary srping looking similar would do.

Last edited by WESCH; Aug 16, 2010 at 07:32 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
GD70's Avatar
GD70
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Default

I replaced the left side spring. I bought one of those packages from the "Help" rack that has an assortment of springs at an auto zone type store. Used one that was close to the original size, cut it down to fit and works fine.
Glenn
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 12:22 PM
  #6  
MrJlr's Avatar
MrJlr
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Default

Originally Posted by GD70
I replaced the left side spring. I bought one of those packages from the "Help" rack that has an assortment of springs at an auto zone type store. Used one that was close to the original size, cut it down to fit and works fine.
Glenn
Meke yer own....it's just a spring !
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 02:12 PM
  #7  
KALAWAY's Avatar
KALAWAY
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
Default

I replaced the passenger side door spring with one of those "L" shaped ones ($6) and it holds the handle up nicely. When I open that particular door, I do it from the inside so I won't bend the spring.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 02:15 PM
  #8  
stevelischynsky's Avatar
stevelischynsky
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
Default

I bought one from Ecklers that they sell as a 68 only just to see how it was configured. But there is not enough coils in it to match my 73. I couldn't find any vendors that sell them other than the flat sheet metal spring.

It doesn't look very hard to make your own. which I will probably land up doing.

The shaft on the handle is riveted on so the upset part of the rivet will need to be bent out or cut off and another head put on. Has anyone tried this.

73 coupe since new
Steve L.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 08:49 PM
  #9  
heckys66's Avatar
heckys66
Advanced
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
Default

How..or should I say what is the outside difference between reproduction door handles from the originals, once installed is there a particular visual area you look for?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2010 | 09:36 PM
  #10  
GD70's Avatar
GD70
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Default

Originally Posted by heckys66
How..or should I say what is the outside difference between reproduction door handles from the originals, once installed is there a particular visual area you look for?
Many of the repros are made in china and don't fit right or have the correct shape. The gaps around the handle are not uniform, and the surface curvature is off so it does not sit flush on all sides. There was a thread a month or two back showing these problems. Better off repairing you're original, or buying a used one.
Glenn
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2010 | 08:21 AM
  #11  
Maymyvetteliveforevr's Avatar
Maymyvetteliveforevr
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Default

I remember seeing them for the 68 and just assumed they fit all C3's. I didn't take the time to count the amount of coils. I did check around and couldn't find anything similar to fit but maybe I haven't looked long enough. If anyone does find a replacement can they please post up.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 03:22 AM
  #12  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

Why shouldn't the 68 spring fit the later handles ?
It is basically the same handle the spring has to hold up.
It dives down when grabbing the same amount .
I would use it , regardless of the number of coils.

Rgds. Günther
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 01:29 PM
  #13  
stevelischynsky's Avatar
stevelischynsky
Burning Brakes
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by WESCH
Hi

Why shouldn't the 68 spring fit the later handles ?
It is basically the same handle the spring has to hold up.
It dives down when grabbing the same amount .
I would use it , regardless of the number of coils.

Rgds. Günther
Less coils means a stiffer spring with less available deflection, assuming wire dia, coil dia and material are the same. It could also possible mean that the material stresses are higher. Maybe GM found this springs break a lot so they added coils to reduce the stress.

I haven't looked into this in detail yet since I'm busy with me '73 chassis. I bought the 68 spring more out of curiosity as to why it is only a 68. So now I know. I most likely will wind my own on a lathe...or weld 2 or 3, 68 springs together.....well,,,maybe not.

73 coupe since new
Steve L.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:02 PM
  #14  
Maymyvetteliveforevr's Avatar
Maymyvetteliveforevr
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Default

I do however feel that approximately $10.00 for one spring is quite high, or is it just me.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:13 PM
  #15  
75Brickie's Avatar
75Brickie
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 4
From: Heath Texas
Default It's still available

I did mine in my '75 - took less than an hour. Got my part from Willcox - Part #2653 - $8.09.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2010 | 02:54 PM
  #16  
Maymyvetteliveforevr's Avatar
Maymyvetteliveforevr
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Default

Are these a different spring then what Ecklers or Wilcox sells?





http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&





http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=2936

Last edited by Maymyvetteliveforevr; Aug 18, 2010 at 05:56 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2010 | 02:21 AM
  #17  
WESCH's Avatar
WESCH
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Default

Hi

This is interesting. Looking at the pics, I have 69 springs in my 68 handles.

Rgds. Günther
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Outside Door handle spring - original type

Old Aug 19, 2010 | 08:24 AM
  #18  
Maymyvetteliveforevr's Avatar
Maymyvetteliveforevr
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Default

I'm hoping to place my order to be at Carlisle for pickup so it comes down to these three. I wonder if the Zip Springs come in a package of two.


$10.00



http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&

$8.09



http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=2936

$6.99


http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-door...ring-1968.html
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2010 | 07:50 PM
  #19  
79vetter's Avatar
79vetter
Thread Starter
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Default

I think that the middle one from Willcox is the only one that will work for us. I also found another source:


http://www.corvettespecialty.com/cor...pring-original
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2010 | 08:46 PM
  #20  
mar's Avatar
mar
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Default

...looks like a clothes pin spring???
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE