Broken Door Handle ??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Halifax Pa
Broken Door Handle ??
Hello everybody. YIKES, I squeezed down on my drivers side door handle and heard a "snap" sound. The door does not open! :confused:
I used a flash light to shine into the door, everything looks ok? When I push down on the door handle and release, it springs right back up but the door does not open. Thank goodness I can open the door by using the inside handle. I know what a PITA it is to work on this car, so what kind of things should I be looking for when I remove the interior door panel? Any body ever have this happen to them? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.
1972 coupe :)
I used a flash light to shine into the door, everything looks ok? When I push down on the door handle and release, it springs right back up but the door does not open. Thank goodness I can open the door by using the inside handle. I know what a PITA it is to work on this car, so what kind of things should I be looking for when I remove the interior door panel? Any body ever have this happen to them? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.
1972 coupe :)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
I just had to replace the interior handles on mine. The door panels are fairly simple and straight forward. I would think you could see the problem once you get in there. I haven't had to mess with the exterior handles but when I got the door panel open it was all right there. The linkage to the inside may have just broken or came undone.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
Door handle/latch problems are quite common on C3's. Does the door lock work? The best thing to do is remove the door panel and look at the latch assembly as the handle is pushed down,you should see what happening then. The outside handle has a rod going down to the latch and connects to a arm off the latch. There is adjustment there on the threaded end of the rod.What I have found that works the best is to remove the latch assembly and clean it with brake or carb cleaner-get all the dirt and grease out. Use white grease to lube it again and reinstall it. Then adjust the throw on the outside rod do this with the door open so you don't get it stuck closed. Use a screw driver to latch the door when adjusting. With a little time you'll get it and it should work as good as new. If you find something broken you should be able to find new parts from most of the vendors,or I would call Gary Gruhala.
Good luck,
Gary
Good luck,
Gary
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Halifax Pa
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (gtr1999)
Thanks for the info. I'll have to remove the door panel to see what's up. I have a spray can of the white lithium grease, is that what you use to lube everything up? By the way, the door lock does not work from the outside or the inside.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
From your description it sounds like one of the plastic retainers that secure the linkage rods may have broken. But who knows until you look inside. Hope you have small hands!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
Yeah, I used the srpay stuff before and it works ok. Also check for the rods form the inside handle binding against each other. I found this on my 69, the ends are 90* and adjustable. One of mine was bent and causing part of the problem.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
this is a very easy repair. As others have stated, pull the interior hardware off, then the panel, and finally the plastic shield. Start at the back of the door and start looking for loose hanging rods. Most likely you snapped a clip retainer. Just about everybody carries them. My friend picked up a handful of them at an auto paint store. You have separate rods for the interior door release and the exterior door release. Just look for the rod that either isn't connected or isn't working when you push down on the exterior door handle.
Gary
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
Be careful you don't get zapped :eek: if your Vette has a factory alarm, power windows, or locks. I was using a screw driver to install the C clip that holds the lock on and I grounded a wire BBZZZZZZT! Scared the poop out of me. I learned my leason and I disconnect the battery when I work on the doors. :yesnod:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: clarksville, TN, USA tn
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
I think I have the same problem. I checked the Haynes manual about removing the door panel and it says to use a special tool. Do I need this or can I just pull it off (after I remove any screws)? I know I am a bubba :yesnod: :yesnod:
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: IL
Re: Broken Door Handle ?? (kleitzel)
Check out my door thread (with some photo's) http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=168520
I repaired mine just before I took the vet in for winter storage. Like usual it bones me just as i put it away for the winter. The door handle works fine but I had trouble unlocking the door from the inside. I need to address that problem when the weather breaks. I took the precaution of using a screw driver to test the funcionality without actually closing the door. That went like a charm but then I ran in to the unlocking problem. After you have repaired the latch I would test everything out before putting the door panel back on.
I repaired mine just before I took the vet in for winter storage. Like usual it bones me just as i put it away for the winter. The door handle works fine but I had trouble unlocking the door from the inside. I need to address that problem when the weather breaks. I took the precaution of using a screw driver to test the funcionality without actually closing the door. That went like a charm but then I ran in to the unlocking problem. After you have repaired the latch I would test everything out before putting the door panel back on.
