Door Panel update
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Door Panel update
I bought a $5 tool at the parts store to remove the inside door lock **** clip. Using the tool, I ended up scratching the black paint off of that area of the door panel. 
With a closer look, all that is needed is a normal to small screw driver blade to push the clip off of the lock ****. For window cranks, the tool might be helpful and less destructive. 
I have power windows, so I don't know.
I got the exterior chrome door handle off the car and wrote up some instructions for anyone who is interested. I'll do the passenger side tomorrow.
With a closer look, all that is needed is a normal to small screw driver blade to push the clip off of the lock ****. For window cranks, the tool might be helpful and less destructive. I have power windows, so I don't know.I got the exterior chrome door handle off the car and wrote up some instructions for anyone who is interested. I'll do the passenger side tomorrow.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Originally Posted by foundvettelifeisgood
It's an excel spreadsheet. Just let me know your email.
aceco@earthlink.net
TIA!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 104
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Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,911
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Don't know how you'd manage to get the u-shaped clip off with just a screw driver Jay. I coulnd't even see the clip with my door panels. The lock **** was easier to remove for me than the window crank though.
I'll have to remove mine again soon and am no looking forward to that day.
Send me the sheet too
mozuch@aol.com
I'll have to remove mine again soon and am no looking forward to that day.
Send me the sheet too
mozuch@aol.com
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello I had the same problem putting new door panels on last night. I have the window clip remover tool, which is a long flat piece of metal with 2 sets of grooves cut in it, but I could not get it to work.
I studied the Chiltons manual and found one thing that helped me. The clip is referenced to the position of the window crank and door lock ****. I have manual windows, and that is what I was having trouble with. I noticed that in the drawing the clip is seated so that the opening faces the lenght of the handle. That meant the round part of the clip was opposite of the handle. I took a jewelers screwdriver, one of those real long skinny ones, and bent the tip at a 90 degree angle. only about 1/8 inch long. I then used it to hood the end of the round clip and managed to pull it out from the window crank.
Once I had the position relation between the window handle and the clip, I knew where to look for.
After the clip was off I checked the window handle against the tool. There is no way that it will fit and do what it is supposed to do.
kdf
I studied the Chiltons manual and found one thing that helped me. The clip is referenced to the position of the window crank and door lock ****. I have manual windows, and that is what I was having trouble with. I noticed that in the drawing the clip is seated so that the opening faces the lenght of the handle. That meant the round part of the clip was opposite of the handle. I took a jewelers screwdriver, one of those real long skinny ones, and bent the tip at a 90 degree angle. only about 1/8 inch long. I then used it to hood the end of the round clip and managed to pull it out from the window crank.
Once I had the position relation between the window handle and the clip, I knew where to look for.
After the clip was off I checked the window handle against the tool. There is no way that it will fit and do what it is supposed to do.
kdf
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Email's sent...
I had no trouble seeing the clip on the lock ****, once I got down close to it and pulled outward on the **** and pushed inward on the panel.
I did the passenger door this morning in about 1/2 the time it took to do the driver's door. Hopefully the instructions will make it go faster for you guys too. The best tip on there is to loosen the latch mechanism at the right time to get the handle out of the door enough to separate the rod from the exterior handle.
I think reassembly will be difficult getting the rod on the new handle w/o scratching the new paint, getting the rear nut on the bottom of the new handle and getting the U clip back on the key cylinder.
BTW, my instructions include removing the key cylinder...you don't need to do this if you are just replacing the door handle. I was prepping for paint.
I had no trouble seeing the clip on the lock ****, once I got down close to it and pulled outward on the **** and pushed inward on the panel.
I did the passenger door this morning in about 1/2 the time it took to do the driver's door. Hopefully the instructions will make it go faster for you guys too. The best tip on there is to loosen the latch mechanism at the right time to get the handle out of the door enough to separate the rod from the exterior handle.
I think reassembly will be difficult getting the rod on the new handle w/o scratching the new paint, getting the rear nut on the bottom of the new handle and getting the U clip back on the key cylinder.
BTW, my instructions include removing the key cylinder...you don't need to do this if you are just replacing the door handle. I was prepping for paint.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
I would like a copy of your instructions. I've got brand new door panels sitting in my garage (I still need to order the outside door handles), and I plan on starting the job pretty soon. dfolkenf@tampabay.rr.com
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
I made a tool for this about 30 years ago and I still use it. I took a very small flat bladed screwdriver and bent the end of the blade into a hook. Instead of pushing the clip off, you stick the screwdriver in and grab the hook from the other side and pull it off.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati oh
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello tpiini
That is the same thing I do. If I can remember to bring my camera to work tomorrow I will download my photos. I used a very thin flat head screwdriver that I paid maybe 1.00 for. I put the flat head in a vise and bent it to a 90 angle with a 1/8 inch tip. Once I realized the relationship between the door handle and the clip it was easier to pull off the clip, rather than push it out from the front.
kdf
That is the same thing I do. If I can remember to bring my camera to work tomorrow I will download my photos. I used a very thin flat head screwdriver that I paid maybe 1.00 for. I put the flat head in a vise and bent it to a 90 angle with a 1/8 inch tip. Once I realized the relationship between the door handle and the clip it was easier to pull off the clip, rather than push it out from the front.
kdf
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Here is a comparison between the tool that I bought to remove the clips, and the screwdriver that I bent with a 1/8 inch 90 degree tip.
And the tool in action taking off the door lock ****.
kdf
And the tool in action taking off the door lock ****.
kdf
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
Originally Posted by kdf1986
Here is a comparison between the tool that I bought to remove the clips, and the screwdriver that I bent with a 1/8 inch 90 degree tip.
And the tool in action taking off the door lock ****.
kdf
And the tool in action taking off the door lock ****.
kdf
The tool is a b***h to use. I got the clips off after about the 100th try. Definitely the hardest part of the job. I'm glad I caught this thread because I have to take my panels off again - to replace the lock sets.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
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From: Shoreline WA
Originally Posted by foundvettelifeisgood
It's an excel spreadsheet. Just let me know your email.
Last edited by Carl Granquist; Apr 30, 2005 at 02:35 PM. Reason: adjustment
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
i never have a problem removing the clip with that flat tool,i have had one for 25yrs and the first thimg i do is make sure im pushing on the open side of the clip and push---it pops right off------------ to put it back you put the clip in the handle and push the handle on the shaft and push handle is back on
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by tpiini
I made a tool for this about 30 years ago and I still use it. I took a very small flat bladed screwdriver and bent the end of the blade into a hook. Instead of pushing the clip off, you stick the screwdriver in and grab the hook from the other side and pull it off.
YEP...much easier Eddie
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 62
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From: Seabrook TEXAS