Door handle maddness !!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 159
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From: franklin sqaureish ny
Door handle maddness !!
i got new door handles today and i have no idea where to start to get the old suckers out... is there an easyer way to get to the bolts with out ripping apart the door skin?? what is the best approach to do so???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
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From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
It's not for those with large hands, thats certain. Here's what I did:
- Lower window all the way down,
- Remove doorpanel,
- Remove plastic water shield and just let it drop into the door (easy to reach),
- Use short wrench if available (otherwise lots of little turns),
- Be patient,
- Have magnet on string ready to get out stuff you drop into the door (you will).
Good luck!
- Lower window all the way down,
- Remove doorpanel,
- Remove plastic water shield and just let it drop into the door (easy to reach),
- Use short wrench if available (otherwise lots of little turns),
- Be patient,
- Have magnet on string ready to get out stuff you drop into the door (you will).
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
We talking inside door handles or outside???
I would remove the inner door skins for either just to be safe and prevent scratching damage. That would simplify the interior door handle replacement b/c everything will be right there. The exterior is a bit more tricky, you will have to disconnect locking mechanism and lock cylinder then losen two bolts at bottom of handle. We aware of very thin shims b/w bolts and bracket.
Good luck
I would remove the inner door skins for either just to be safe and prevent scratching damage. That would simplify the interior door handle replacement b/c everything will be right there. The exterior is a bit more tricky, you will have to disconnect locking mechanism and lock cylinder then losen two bolts at bottom of handle. We aware of very thin shims b/w bolts and bracket.
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
The hardest part is getting them ****** out!Once you are dealing with new,non corroded parts,reassembly is not so bad,but a lot of patience is crucial.The rear nut on the handle is a PITA,because it is so close to the latch assy.What I found that works is to hold that nut in place with a finger or two and lower the handle into the door and try to get the nut started before the handle drops all the way down into the door.Before you drop the handle into the door,make sure the rod and clip are attached to it and pointed in the right direction.The key here is patience,this is a VERY frustrating process,give yourself alot of time.Somehow I installed mine last night without taking a major fit,next I get to tackle putting the windows and regulators back in...
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Gold Coast
Originally Posted by jimkmyc5
Just put my 81 back together. It also helps to take the three screwws out of the locking mechanism and let it drop down about an inch. Then you can get your hand up in there to start the nuts.
The 'magnet on the probe' is great for retreiving dropped parts too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Removing the 3 screws to the latch is the hot ticket! I just did both of mine a month ago after paint. They were not hard to do at all, even after hearing all the horror stories everyone has said. The latch drops down just enough to make a big difference. Yes, I tried it without taking the latch loose, before looking here and getting this hot tip, and I couldn't get the back nut started to save my life, and was VERY frustrated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Universal Joint Socket
I have found that once I remove the door panel and raise the window all of the way up, I can reach in with one of these...
on a long 1/4" drive extension and get the nuts off pretty easily.
To put them back on, I put a small piece of masking tape inside the socket to hold the nut and reach up with the extension between my fingers to gently start the nut on the stud. Once it's started, use your 1/4" ratchet to snug it down.
This is not an easy job, but at least now the worst part is taking the door panel off...
Good luck... GUSTO
on a long 1/4" drive extension and get the nuts off pretty easily.
To put them back on, I put a small piece of masking tape inside the socket to hold the nut and reach up with the extension between my fingers to gently start the nut on the stud. Once it's started, use your 1/4" ratchet to snug it down.
This is not an easy job, but at least now the worst part is taking the door panel off...
Good luck... GUSTO