How to remove Door Handles?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
How to remove Door Handles?
Well, after 4 week-ends of stripping I'm ready to move on. I had masked around the door handles when I stripped the doors. Today I removed the door panels to be able to remove the handles. After a long struggle I got the 2 nuts off of the handle, but I can't see how to remove the linkage to be able to remove the handle. Also I sure can't see how to remove the door locks. I was working with the window down, do I have to remove the window to be able to gain access to these parts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: How to remove Door Handles? (Paul 75 L82)
The door locks are held in by a spring clip that is slipped over the back of the door lock. It is a very tight fit and is best removed carefully but with a bit of force. If you will shine a bright flashlight into the interior of the door you will see this "U" shaped spring clip.
The exterior door handles have a rod that hangs down and connects to the door release mechanism. These rods are held to the bottom exterior door handle by a bend in them that prevents them from falling out. Then this rod is held to the door release mechanism by a special clip. YOu must first slide the black spring clip away from the top of the door rod and then the rod will drop down. This clip has a slot in it and the head of the rod has a groove in it. You push the rod up through the clip, just enough to get the groove in the rod into the slit in the clip. Once you see how it works it becomes obvious. That doesn't mean that it is easy, just obvious. ;)
Gary
The exterior door handles have a rod that hangs down and connects to the door release mechanism. These rods are held to the bottom exterior door handle by a bend in them that prevents them from falling out. Then this rod is held to the door release mechanism by a special clip. YOu must first slide the black spring clip away from the top of the door rod and then the rod will drop down. This clip has a slot in it and the head of the rod has a groove in it. You push the rod up through the clip, just enough to get the groove in the rod into the slit in the clip. Once you see how it works it becomes obvious. That doesn't mean that it is easy, just obvious. ;)
Gary
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Re: How to remove Door Handles? (GaryS)
Thanks for the info Gary. I will look at it again tomorrow and maybe I'll see what your saying. It's amasing that with each new project we have to learn so many new skills,removing a door handle is sure one of them.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: How to remove Door Handles? (GaryS)
Gary covered it well, I would just add that to get the handle nuts on/off it's easier to remove the door latch assembly first. You can then get at the nuts better and the lock clips. You could also get the latch assembly cleaned and lubed to eliminate any opening problems.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: How to remove Door Handles? (Paul 75 L82)
Yes, interior work is a whole new set of skills.
I would go to your local auto parts store and get a door handle/window crank removal tool. It will slide behind the part and you can push off the clip. It is a PITA to get off any other way......
I would go to your local auto parts store and get a door handle/window crank removal tool. It will slide behind the part and you can push off the clip. It is a PITA to get off any other way......
