C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Lock knob frustration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 11:03 AM
  #1  
kolczk's Avatar
kolczk
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default Lock **** frustration

Can somebody help me out with re installing these stupid lock *****? Took them off and now trying to get them on. I have read already you need to put the pin in it before you put it back on the door. Sounds easy but I can't get this stupid pin in. Anybody know a trick to this it would be great.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 11:48 AM
  #2  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Model year? But likely to be 68-77. The ***** have lock clips and the generic auto parts places carry a tool for the installation of the clips. You can sometimes use a screw driver on the clips, but the tool is worth the money.

If memory serves, there is also a flat on the **** and lock which have to line up.

Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 15, 2016 at 11:49 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 11:55 AM
  #3  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,734
Likes: 2,582
Default

if you mean the clip, the clip goes on the end of the **** with the serrations in the center. Then place the **** onto the lock shaft making sure you align the serrations in the center of the **** with the serrations on the door lock shaft.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 12:05 PM
  #4  
kolczk's Avatar
kolczk
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Thanks for the help. I'll be going to see if I can get that tool.

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Model year? But likely to be 68-77. The ***** have lock clips and the generic auto parts places carry a tool for the installation of the clips. You can sometimes use a screw driver on the clips, but the tool is worth the money.

If memory serves, there is also a flat on the **** and lock which have to line up.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 02:44 PM
  #5  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,734
Likes: 2,582
Default Tool

Originally Posted by kolczk
Thanks for the help. I'll be going to see if I can get that tool.
The tool is for removing the ***** not installing them!
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 02:48 PM
  #6  
marshal135's Avatar
marshal135
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Conversation Starter
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 1,230
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Something new I just learned
Thanks
Marshal

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi k,
The **** is held in place by the 'ears' on the clip.
The stud has a flat spot on it that faces the front of the car, the **** has a flat spot in it that corresponds to the stud so the **** can go on only one way….as M indicates.
The clip slides on the **** from the rear.
Once the clip is in place the **** gets pushed into place until the 'ear's 'set' on the stud. No tool is used.
The tool that is recommended to REMOVE the **** OFTEN scratches the **** or the bezel…. i don't use it. Once you know how the clip works a tiny screwdriver can be used to release it with out the chance of damaging the trim.
Regards,
Alan

Flat area on **** faces forward.


Clip ready to slide onto ****.


Clip it place on ****… ears ready to grab stud.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 05:33 PM
  #7  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
.....
The tool that is recommended to REMOVE the **** OFTEN scratches the **** or the bezel….


If your lucky, sometimes you can work a clean cloth (t-shirt material or something soft) behind the **** (window crank handles are the same) and "saw" the cloth back and forth a few times and it will catch the ends of the clip and pop it back enough for the handle to pop off

When I was fitting mine I tie a length of dental floss to the center of the loop and then you can pull it off easily. Some people leave about 6" of the floss and just wrap it around the handle until it tucks completely behind it. Then it's easy to fish it out when you do want to remove it.

Also, repro ***** also seem to have the slot too far back and they don't fit as snug against the door panel.
M
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 09:35 PM
  #8  
croaker's Avatar
croaker
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
Default

The tool I saw at my local AZ will not work the old ones were kinda bent the new ones aren't as far as I could tell but, they claim to aid in installing also insert clip in opposite end in a indent ion . I used screwdriver.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 09:45 PM
  #9  
Brcmpbl's Avatar
Brcmpbl
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Default

I went though this before, and Alan's post above saved me then.

Once you get the clip in the ****, position the **** with the flats lined up and give it a tap with a rubber mallet. It will go on. Be patient. Once you get it to work once, it's much easier going forward.

Re: the removal tool - I also do not use it because of the potential for damage. I use a dental pick instead (the kind that can be bought at an auto parts store).
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2016 | 10:16 PM
  #10  
gjohnson's Avatar
gjohnson
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 441
From: Denver CO
Default

I put the clip partially on the ****,put the **** on then use a small flat head screwdriver to push the clip on,down into the grooves
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 09:36 AM
  #11  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

You need a tool to [more easily] remove the ****; but you don't need it to install the ****. And, no one has mentioned putting the little plastic 'rub' washer behind the ****. That washer will keep the backside of the **** from scratching up the paint on the plate.

Put the clip on the **** with the 'points' of the bent ends into those slots. Put the plastic washer over the serrated post. Then place the **** on the post while aligning the flats on the post and in the ****. Now just shove the heck out of it with the palm of your hand to seat it. If all is in place, the **** will pop on and those 'points' will engage in the undercut on the actuating shaft. The shaft DOES need to be fairly well centered in the hole on door panel for this to install nicely.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 01:38 PM
  #12  
gjohnson's Avatar
gjohnson
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 441
From: Denver CO
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi gj,


I think the shape of the stud on the lock mechanism is designed so the clip can be fully installed on the **** and then the stud spreads the clip's ears as the **** is pushed straight on.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
Never even thought of that...
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2016 | 10:17 PM
  #13  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

I use two hammers to do this.. .one rubber and one regular.
Once you have the **** with the clip in place aligned to the notch in the control, hold the **** in place with a rubber hammer and then hit it with the regular hammer.

It is about 99% effective on the first swing and will not damage the **** or the surrounding area of the door panel.

Willcox
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 12:12 PM
  #14  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

I've never needed to do anything put 'push' them on.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 01:28 PM
  #15  
kolczk's Avatar
kolczk
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Thanks for all the help. I must clearly be missing something. I have tried getting that clip to slide into the **** for a long time and it is not easy to get through that slit of the ****. It keeps buckling, bending and getting stuck. not all the way down. Like theres not enough room to get it to slide in.

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi k,
The **** is held in place by the 'ears' on the clip.
The stud has a flat spot on it that faces the front of the car, the **** has a flat spot in it that corresponds to the stud so the **** can go on only one way….as M indicates.
The clip slides on the **** from the rear.
Once the clip is in place the **** gets pushed into place until the 'ear's 'set' on the stud. No tool is used.
The tool that is recommended to REMOVE the **** OFTEN scratches the **** or the bezel…. i don't use it. Once you know how the clip works a tiny screwdriver can be used to release it with out the chance of damaging the trim.
Regards,
Alan

Flat area on **** faces forward.


Clip ready to slide onto ****.


Clip it place on ****… ears ready to grab stud.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 04:20 PM
  #16  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

You can install the clip with either of two methods:

1.) Center the clip so that the 'points' are the same distance from each slot while putting light pressure on the 'head' of the clip. Now, push forcefully on the head to spread the clip and get the points into each slot.

2.) Put clip in place with one of the points in its slot. Stick a pencil, dowel, or your little finger in the opening from the shaft so that it pushes the engaged point outward, but still in the slot. Now, push on the 'head' to snap the other side into its slot.

Either of these methods seems intuitive to me, so it sort of explains why you're having so much difficulty. Maybe the best thing for you to do is "just do it." These vehicles are designed so that about any human being can build them (with some guidance as to how they get assembled/disassembled). Otherwise, they would have had to hire engineers to work on the assembly line. So, I'm sure you can do the work on your car. And, if the parts you are working with are metal, it's unlikely that you can break anything just using your hands.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 05:17 PM
  #17  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I've never needed to do anything put 'push' them on.
The new reproduction panels necessitate that you do this. There seems to be more spring in them so pushing inward is required while holding the **** with a rubber mallet. This allows you to install it without doing any damage.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2016 | 09:13 PM
  #18  
redrdstr72's Avatar
redrdstr72
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Default

Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
The new reproduction panels necessitate that you do this. There seems to be more spring in them so pushing inward is required while holding the **** with a rubber mallet. This allows you to install it without doing any damage.


Door panel that is. I've seen many reproduction door panels that have an outward "bow" in them, causing the lock stem (since it's close to the center of the panel) to fall short of full extension beyond the panel. I've been successful in getting stem to extend by heating the plastic substrate and "re-forming" the bow out. I've also been successful in getting full extension by having a helper push the panel's bow in while I install the ****. In this case, I've used a non-marking rubber mallet to install.

Hope this helps
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Lock knob frustration





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:15 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE