I know this has been something most of you all have been through but it's my first time.My outside door handle just broke tonight.I expected this to happen so I did buy new ones a while back.I guess it's the spring under the door handle thing.How do you replace these without ripping to whole thing a part?

 

On the early C3's, which I am familiar with, it's "easy." "Easy" once you remove the door panel. To remove the door panel, first remove the door open handle. There's a little philips head screw to remove. To remove the handle, you need to jamb it in an open position to get to the screw. Open the handle, take a very large screw driver and cover it's surfaces with masking tape. Open the handle, and jamb this large tape covered screw driver between the bezel and the handle. This will hold the handle in the open position and allow you to easily unscrew the little phillips screws. Now unscrew the little philps screw and pull the handle free. The tape covered large screw driver keeps you from scaring the bezel. Next, on an early C3, remove the rotary lock ****. You'll need a special tool for this. It's for sale in catalogs of all the Corvette parts vendors. It only costs a few bucks. Remove the **** . Now removing the door panel is just a matter of undoing all the screws that hold it in place. Remove it and you can see the door handle. You can now access it's tie down nuts and remove them. There's a little rod that connects the handle with the door latch. You have to disconnect the little rod. ...And then eventually reconnect it.

If you have time and don't mind spending the money, first order a new "lock" ****. This way you can see how your special tool will snap out the C shaped clip.(If you've never done this before.) Also, if you have a 69 to 82 C3, you might think about ordering a new rod that connects the handle to the door latch. They cost about $5 (?) With a new rod, you can see how that special little clip on it works. Gettting the little clip on has to be done in very tight confined quarters. You have to use your index finger and snap it on. Buying a new one to practice on will make this an easy job. Also, if your original clip falls into the door as you remove it, you will already have a new replacement standing by!

 

That can't be right.My problem is on the out side right under the chrome flat paddle thing.(don't know what it's called witch might lead to the confusion)Right now I can still open the door but the chrome paddle looking thing sags down.I bought the replacement part that fits under there.It's a wide thin pice of metal thats bent so that it acts like a spring.Same part on all C3's I beleive.The catalog says they can be changed without any tools.

 

The flat spring that you have doesn't replace a stock part. Its an add-on item to keep the door handle wedged up. Not sure on how to put it in place.

68/70vettes instuctions are for replacing the entire handle assembly, which I have done and is not that difficult to do.

Sorry that I can't help.

 

The flat spring that you have doesn't replace a stock part. Its an add-on item to keep the door handle wedged up
So I guess what your saying is that there won't be a spring under there thats broke?Maybe I should do it right like the first post.Thanks.

 

There is a wire spring in ther that broke on one end. Remove the door panel as above and remove the outside door handle by removing the nuts on the inside of the door. The door handle paddle is held in plade in the handle assy with a steel pin, remove the pin. The spring that just fell out will be broken on one end. You can unwind part of one coil (carefully, this can earn you a blood blister) with needle nose pliars. Replace it on the pin in the handle and put it all back together.
This has worked for me on several sets of door handles. I think the flaw is in the manufacture of the spring, when it is rolled, they nick the wire so it breaks. good luck

 

I replaced the spring when it broke on mine. Disassembly required but my preference over the flat spring insert repair. Carried by many vette vendors.