Door Handle/Lock Removal Question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Door Handle/Lock Removal Question?
OK Guys,
Vette went into body shop yesterday. Getting the whole car stripped and repainted. Part of the deal was for me to remove as much as the body adornments as I can. However, after I removed the interior door panels, I still can't figure out how to get the outside door handles and outside key locks off. Any help would help!! Thanks, L8TER, Paul.
Vette went into body shop yesterday. Getting the whole car stripped and repainted. Part of the deal was for me to remove as much as the body adornments as I can. However, after I removed the interior door panels, I still can't figure out how to get the outside door handles and outside key locks off. Any help would help!! Thanks, L8TER, Paul.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,983
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Door Handle/Lock Removal Question? (Vettesic)
Does this car have power locks? I haven't worked on a late C3 but have done early non power lock cars. You have to remove the door latch to gain room to remove the nuts holding the outside door handle. The lock is held on by a "U" clip and rod. Be sure to clean the latch assembly with carb cleaner real good and lube it with white grease.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Re: Door Handle/Lock Removal Question? (Vettesic)
Vettesic,
I did the same thing with my body shop two months ago. The door lock on my 75 had a retaining clip that I used a neddle nose pliers to pull the clip off ( slide it in the same plane as the door- perpendicular to the lock cylinder). They are a bit** to put back in.
The door handles were even worse. The nuts that hold them in are hard to reach. Only thing that I could suggest is to try one of those long extensions for a ratchet that flexs or bends maybe. And possibly removing the door glass first. You will need it removed anyway. I got the driver's side out but gave up on the passenger side.
My body man said later that all the work I did, didn't really save me a lot anyway, but I felt better about doing some of it myself.
Good luck.
P.S. Window glass re-installation was a pain in the ***, until I bought a chilton manuel. Made a lot of things easier.
I did the same thing with my body shop two months ago. The door lock on my 75 had a retaining clip that I used a neddle nose pliers to pull the clip off ( slide it in the same plane as the door- perpendicular to the lock cylinder). They are a bit** to put back in.
The door handles were even worse. The nuts that hold them in are hard to reach. Only thing that I could suggest is to try one of those long extensions for a ratchet that flexs or bends maybe. And possibly removing the door glass first. You will need it removed anyway. I got the driver's side out but gave up on the passenger side.
My body man said later that all the work I did, didn't really save me a lot anyway, but I felt better about doing some of it myself.
Good luck.
P.S. Window glass re-installation was a pain in the ***, until I bought a chilton manuel. Made a lot of things easier.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: Door Handle/Lock Removal Question? (gtr1999)
Gary,
Yes, the car has power door locks. Could'nt figure out where the other door handle bolts was.. I;ll remove latch to get too it. I also see the U-clip. Good point about the carb cleaner. I usually clean/paint if necessary, anything I take off and put back on. L8TER, Paul.
Yes, the car has power door locks. Could'nt figure out where the other door handle bolts was.. I;ll remove latch to get too it. I also see the U-clip. Good point about the carb cleaner. I usually clean/paint if necessary, anything I take off and put back on. L8TER, Paul.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: Door Handle/Lock Removal Question? (Rich's75)
Rich, Did'nt plan to remove the door glass. I'm gonna try without doing that. And try not to drop any parts in the process. It looks like the Abyss down in there!! I spoke with the body shop people about it and they said they would give me a hand with it. You're right, it's not a money thing. Just gotta do it ourselfs!! L8TER, Paul
