76 vette
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
76 vette
I'm trying to remove my drivers side exterior door handle on my 76 vette. I have the two nuts and the linkage removed from the handle but the front side of the handle seems to be stuck. I can't get the handle to come out of the door although it is loose but stuck in the front. Anyone have any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 665
From: Northeast
Appears you did the hard work already. When you say the linkage is removed from the handle do you mean the barrel is popped from the clip?
Some years had a rubber gasket under the handle so perhaps that is just stuck or someone put some kind of sealer.
The instructions are here and as you can see it should just slide up and out.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/4696/
Some years had a rubber gasket under the handle so perhaps that is just stuck or someone put some kind of sealer.
The instructions are here and as you can see it should just slide up and out.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/4696/
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I agree ...the rubber gasket can sometimes cause the handle to stick....
IF this door handle has already been replaced with an aftermarket CRAPPY one. I have seen and experienced the shaft that is used so your door handle flap that you press on has slid down...and a small portion of it is NOW under the thickness of the fiberglass and THAT is was it holding the handle in place and not allowing it to come out.
I have NOT found way to get the handle out other than brute force and this action DOES allow the possibility of the edge of the hole that the door handle fits into gets damaged a little bit.
So...if you can get the handle to come up a little bit (1/8"+) at the back of the handle where it is at the back edge of the door...but it will not raise up at the front edge towards the front of the door...then the shaft has slid down.
DUB
IF this door handle has already been replaced with an aftermarket CRAPPY one. I have seen and experienced the shaft that is used so your door handle flap that you press on has slid down...and a small portion of it is NOW under the thickness of the fiberglass and THAT is was it holding the handle in place and not allowing it to come out.
I have NOT found way to get the handle out other than brute force and this action DOES allow the possibility of the edge of the hole that the door handle fits into gets damaged a little bit.
So...if you can get the handle to come up a little bit (1/8"+) at the back of the handle where it is at the back edge of the door...but it will not raise up at the front edge towards the front of the door...then the shaft has slid down.
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,059
Likes: 1,641
From: Long Island
Another possibility is that someone used Silicone to seal the handle in. If you can get the rear of the handle up a little use a 90 degree plastic interior tool or old credit card and work it under the lip. Be careful not to scratch the paint. Masking tape can help protect the paint.
Worst case use dental floss to "cut" the silicone. In-waxed fine works best.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Thanks everyone for your input. I continued to try and remove the handle and found out that the hinge rod on the handle had slid forward and was wedged under the body of the door. I removed the studs in the handle and not just the nuts and was able to tilt it enough to remove it. In normal circumstances the handle would have just lifted out. Thanks for all of your help.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks everyone for your input. I continued to try and remove the handle and found out that the hinge rod on the handle had slid forward and was wedged under the body of the door. I removed the studs in the handle and not just the nuts and was able to tilt it enough to remove it. In normal circumstances the handle would have just lifted out. Thanks for all of your help.
Post a photo of it so people can see it. I do not have an old door handle like that where I would post a photo if it if I did.
DUB
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I hate it that I was correct...but I have seen it....experienced it. When people put these replacement outside door handles in...they need to really look at that prior rod.
Post a photo of it so people can see it. I do not have an old door handle like that where I would post a photo if it if I did.
DUB
Post a photo of it so people can see it. I do not have an old door handle like that where I would post a photo if it if I did.
DUB
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Race Director
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From: Charlotte NC
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
WOW!!!! HATS OFF to you Paul.
I must say that is the worst one I have ever seen...and I have had to deal with a few of them doing this.
I would have to keep that one and hang it on the wall in the garage so I could from time to time.... give it a middle finger salute. I have several tings that I have saved that get the respect from me that they rightfully deserve.
DUB
I must say that is the worst one I have ever seen...and I have had to deal with a few of them doing this.
I would have to keep that one and hang it on the wall in the garage so I could from time to time.... give it a middle finger salute. I have several tings that I have saved that get the respect from me that they rightfully deserve.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Feb 17, 2017 at 06:10 PM.