73 vette interior door handle
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
73 vette interior door handle
When I shut the door yesterday, the interior door handle fell off. First, I thought the screw had just fallen out. This is indeed what happened, but it appears that the threads must have stripped over years of use.
I have a couple of questions:
When trying to put the screw back in, the hole is inaccessible! How do you access it? The handle is so closely adapted to the door panel, there is no path for a screwdriver to access, and the hole actually slants inward toward the door.
I am wondering if the threads closest to the edge of the hole are stripped and I might be able to use a longer screw and get down to good threads deeper in the hole?!
Anyone with this experience or info?
Thanks!
I have a couple of questions:
When trying to put the screw back in, the hole is inaccessible! How do you access it? The handle is so closely adapted to the door panel, there is no path for a screwdriver to access, and the hole actually slants inward toward the door.
I am wondering if the threads closest to the edge of the hole are stripped and I might be able to use a longer screw and get down to good threads deeper in the hole?!
Anyone with this experience or info?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
I assume your talking about the metal handle and not the vinal door pull handle. If it's the metal handle, you will probably have to remove the entire interior door panel. This is not such a big deal and on top of that, it gives you an opportunity to lubricate the window mechanism, door latch, etc. The interior panel is a little tricky to get back on, but it's not rocket science.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Just pull the door panel off (no big deal). The angle of the screws is tricky but with the panel off you can see the path. If the threads are stripped, then rethread and use a larger screw.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Actually, you can in fact get that handle on and off with the panel in place. The handle slides over the mechanism and will lock itself in with or without the screw. You can slide the handle on, and pull it out just enough to get an angle on the screw. Get it started and tighten it down and it'll pull the handle in tight.
Yes taking the door panel off is the easiest way to get the handle screwed back on but I feel it's much harder to get the top of the door panel back over the shell lip at the top with that handle in the door.
Yes taking the door panel off is the easiest way to get the handle screwed back on but I feel it's much harder to get the top of the door panel back over the shell lip at the top with that handle in the door.
