New door handle removal problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
New door handle removal problem
Have I got a problem. Im trying to remove the outside door handle on my '79. I've removed the two nuts (pita) and the linkage, now the handle is loose but it will not come out of the door. The back side comes partly out, maybe 1/2" but the front side will only seperate from the door about 1/8" and stops. I searched the forum on the subject but it seems I am the only person that ever had this problem. That's my luck. Can anyone offer any sugestions on how to get it out
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I would rather have a good tooth pulled than replace a door handle on a C3. Anyway you have to get the part that attaches to the linkage in the correct position for it to come out, been a while but you have to get your fingers in there and move something into the correct position 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
look inside the door, see if there is a washer or something on the stud sticking into the door. Might be a bit of resin, body filler, or another nut. See if you can see the stud where it comes thru the fiberglass.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Hometown The best
I found the problem. The rod holding the flapper and spring had worked out of the rear hole and was produding under the fiberglass in the front preventing the handle from coming out. After several hours of trying to get the rod back in its original position with no sucess, I finally cut the rod and spring in half and pulled the rod out with lock pliers and a hammer. The handle easily came out of the hole. I think I will buy a new handle instead of trying to repair this one. Hell I may as well buy both sides being as Im going to paint the car. Thanks for the help.
