C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

'78 - Outside door handle installation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
twistdpair's Avatar
twistdpair
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Newington CT
Default '78 - Outside door handle installation

OK, I searched the forum and couldn't find any tips. I'm trying to replace the outside door handle on my '78. I got it out without too much problem, but I'll be damned if can get it in.

The problem is the far nut that holds the handle in. It seems next to impossible to begin threading the nut on there. After dropping it into the door twice and fishing it out with a magnet on a stick, I stuffed some rags in the door for now to keep the damn thing from falling into the rusty darkness.

Anyone have any tips, tricks, special tools, etc.? I have little girlie hands and stuff like this is usually just a matter of a couple tries but it's getting frustrating now...

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Corky
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:50 PM
  #2  
Keno's 69's Avatar
Keno's 69
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Newark Ca
Default

Corky it's a PITA, but I did my 69 just this last weekend.
I found that if you take the 3 screws out of the door jam the holds the latch in place, you can get to that top nut. It's slow going with a little turn at a time, but it will go.
I had the most trouble getting the damn clips back on the rods.
Good luck.
Ken
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:54 PM
  #3  
Retro78's Avatar
Retro78
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Keno's 69
Corky it's a PITA, but I did my 69 just this last weekend.
I found that if you take the 3 screws out of the door jam the holds the latch in place, you can get to that top nut. It's slow going with a little turn at a time, but it will go.
I had the most trouble getting the damn clips back on the rods.
Good luck.
Ken
I agree, the latch drops down creating a little more access. Also, on a 78 there is molded black plastic cover in the same area. I also recall removing that, held in with two screws.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2005 | 09:55 PM
  #4  
twistdpair's Avatar
twistdpair
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Newington CT
Default

Yeah, I yanked the black plastic doodad out. I'm on my way down to the garage right now loosen the latch.

Thanks guys!!

-Corky
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2005 | 11:47 PM
  #5  
twistdpair's Avatar
twistdpair
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Newington CT
Default

Worked perfectly. Now all I have to do is fix my armrest and she's ready to roll!!

Thanks again,

Corky
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2005 | 05:34 AM
  #6  
guppie's Avatar
guppie
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

The nut is a piece of cake if you let someone with a small hand do it.
My wife had mine on in 3 seconds after me spending a couple hours.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2005 | 02:25 PM
  #7  
twistdpair's Avatar
twistdpair
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Newington CT
Default

Once I unscrewed the latch, it was easy. My hands are unusually small, so I didn't need to ask for help. BTW, it is true what they say about a dude's hands... unfortunately....

-Corky
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2005 | 03:13 PM
  #8  
ACECO's Avatar
ACECO
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Default

Originally Posted by twistdpair
Once I unscrewed the latch, it was easy. My hands are unusually small, so I didn't need to ask for help. BTW, it is true what they say about a dude's hands... unfortunately....

-Corky
More info than I needed to know!!!



Reply

Get notified of new replies

To '78 - Outside door handle installation

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




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:37 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