Door handle lesson learned

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Feb 20, 2018 | 09:27 PM

cjkirby55

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2016

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From: Terre Haute Indiana

Door handle lesson learned

I thought I’d share my learning experience with my 77. I had the front on ramps and the rear on jack stands under the frame. I foolishly tried to open the drivers door and broke the exterior door handle. Most of the replacement process wasn’t bad and there’s a surprising amount of room inside the door. The problem came when I tried to remove the old handle. The metal rod that serves as the hinge had worked loose and moved partially out of the handle and was hooked under the door. Fortunately I noticed before breaking the door but if you’re trying to replace door handles and the old one won’t come out you could have the same trouble I did.

Feb 21, 2018 | 06:42 AM

ZRXGreen

Racer

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 355

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From: Chicago Suburbs Illinois

Sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing.

Feb 21, 2018 | 09:08 AM

revitup

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Pawleys Island, SC

Why was opening the door foolish and how did that break the door handle?

Feb 21, 2018 | 01:49 PM

cjkirby55

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 42

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From: Terre Haute Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by revitup

Why was opening the door foolish and how did that break the door handle?

Foolish to open while on jack stands and the door handle must have been in a bind.

Feb 21, 2018 | 02:09 PM

kingkohlmn

Pro

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 727

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From: Austin TX area

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjkirby55

Foolish to open while on jack stands and the door handle must have been in a bind.

I don't think the car on ramps, jack stands had anything to do with it breaking. I have had my car on ramps, stands many times and have had to open the doors with no issues.

But thanks for the tip.

Feb 21, 2018 | 04:05 PM

terry82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

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From: columbia city in

I open my car doors ,,,on jackstands lots of times.i would be looking at the frame and body mounts .

Feb 21, 2018 | 10:45 PM

bruiser

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2007

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From: S.E. MI

St. Jude Donor '15

I had the same problem removing the door handle on my 77.

Feb 23, 2018 | 07:45 AM

derekderek

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 13,082

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From: SW Florida.

The frame will flex with the stands in front of rear wheels. It is best to put stands on suspension points so car's weight is distributed like it is on the wheels.