the drivers side outdoor handle broke on me today.

the inner door handle still opens the door.

I took off the door panel / cover.

Gripping down and in with the outside handle, the rod does not go down far enough to move the lever.

Do I have to really go up into the door and somehow remove the 2 nuts??

schematics???? drawings?????

 

Window up, you can get the 2 nuts with a flex socket and an extension. 1/4 drive works nicely. The clip that holds the rod in the lever on the handle can be a booger to get off and back on.

 

Keep the drivers window down or the passenger door window down. If for some reason the windows are up and the passenger handle does the same thing then you are not getting in the car.

If you need to change the handle because the spring broke or another piece, you have two choices. Cheap $35 or a good one at $75. The vendors have them. Zip also sells the clips if that is all you need. There is a clip that holds the top of the rod to the handle. Make sure you have that and a clip that holds the barrel in place. The vendors also include a gasket. If you are ncrs minded check to see if your year had them. In 78/79 they were not used.

Here is a link, if you click on the pictures you can get them to enlarge along with some instructions. If you have the plastic water protector then that needs to be removed.

http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/4696/

The barrel on the rod has a shaft with a head on it. You need to carefully slide the clip and then pry out the shaft. Then slide the clip back in place because when it comes time for reinstall you just force it into the clip hole. Try and leave the barrel in it's place on the rod if it worked perfectly before. It spins to move up or down depending on how you want the handle to operate.

FWIW, I dropped those nuts a few times and had to reach in the bottom of the door to retrieve them. I had a plate I could remove to access the bottom of the door.

It was not one of my favorite repairs because you have no room.

Good luck.

Do a search this forum in tech and you will get a few hits.

 

Did you try lubricating the latch? If the outer handle seems to be actuating the arm on the latch a quick shot of your favorite spray lube on the pivot points of the latch may be all you need. I've been adjusting my doors the last few days, I've had those handles in and out several times. It's easier to access the aft nut on the handle if you pull 2 of the 3 latch screws and loosen the 3rd. Move it out of the way and access is easier. But if it's a broken handle, the cheap ones will work, they just look a little cheaper. I have 1 of each, not much noticeable difference when installed.

 

My handle hangs down but still works can I just change a spring?

 

I have never seen any vendor that sold just the spring. Try lubricating the hinges with the handle depressed. Perhaps it is just getting hung up.

 

The one under the flap you can.

 

Thanks

 

Could you provide a link for a replacement spring?

 

Got the handle out of the door.

WOW, its not broke AT ALL.

I sprayed and cleaned the entire door mechanism, working the lever up and down that the rods barrel "clips" into.

It appears the rod is / was not adjusted right.
I put everything back together (minus the 2 nuts) and I can see that the rod does not sit properly anymore in the bottom part of the handle.


Anyway, I'll just do some finagling and get it right


Well, it seems I do not have the clip that holds the top of the rod in the handle pivot boomerang-looking thingie.

Luckily, I saved some $ by not having to buy a new handle


Thanks to all who helped me and steered me to the right links

 

After reading all of these postings, I am so thankful that I bought a 68, in 1972. Glad that you got yours fixed Markyerger. Taking the door panel off is no picnic. Lou.