78 outer door handle sag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 981
From: Wauconda IL
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,130
Likes: 4,243
From: US-PNW
I see the 90° clips only as a band-aid, but have not tried them.
Unfortunately the only spring fix commercially available is to change out the entire handle. I've had a handle apart and the spring is certainly replaceable but I've not tried fabricating one yet... it's on my list of projects to try though. It would be nice if the repro spring were available individually.
Unfortunately the only spring fix commercially available is to change out the entire handle. I've had a handle apart and the spring is certainly replaceable but I've not tried fabricating one yet... it's on my list of projects to try though. It would be nice if the repro spring were available individually.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
I too view them as a band-aid fix. A pair of new external handles are about $100. Once the handles are replaced, owners should occasionally oil the return spring, especially if their region has hot humid summers or the car sees inclement weather.
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Crossram,
Frustrating when the little flapper door on the handle remains down.
Very stylish design for its time. But what a PITA when one of the handles breaks.
Rumor is that the reproduction door handles are lacking a bit on chrome finish longevity. Some forum posters claimed fitment was ok, but pitting / peeling of the chrome finish quality was disappointing.
Having said that, I snooped around on Ebay for a few weeks until one day a drivers-side handle popped up. Seller claimed it was NOS, still in the GM bag with part number. I got lucky.
That door handle swap was a SOB. You need small hands get inside the doors frame. You will need a long handle magnet to retrieve the hardware that your big hands will drop down inside the door.
If you are not familiar with inner door panel removal, YouTube has a vid that helps show hidden screws, clips, etc.
Good luck.
Frustrating when the little flapper door on the handle remains down.
Very stylish design for its time. But what a PITA when one of the handles breaks.
Rumor is that the reproduction door handles are lacking a bit on chrome finish longevity. Some forum posters claimed fitment was ok, but pitting / peeling of the chrome finish quality was disappointing.
Having said that, I snooped around on Ebay for a few weeks until one day a drivers-side handle popped up. Seller claimed it was NOS, still in the GM bag with part number. I got lucky.
That door handle swap was a SOB. You need small hands get inside the doors frame. You will need a long handle magnet to retrieve the hardware that your big hands will drop down inside the door.
If you are not familiar with inner door panel removal, YouTube has a vid that helps show hidden screws, clips, etc.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 826
Likes: 807
From: Chapin SC 29036
The spring is available from several of the vendors. It runs $7 to $8 each. The harder part is installing it. Patience is a virtue! I redid both of my handles years ago and had them rechromed. Had to take it apart so that it could be chromed correctly. As I remember the pin that holds it in place is staked and I had to remove a small amount of the metal to get it out. When I put it back together I used a little epoxy to hold the pin in place. Still work good.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
Likes: 7,823
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Another No vote for those L shaped helper springs. Tryed one back in the 90's. Ended up replacing the handle anyway. Waste of money!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 365
Likes: 93
From: Chesterfield VA
So those little springs work fine. I would prefer to replace the handle but if you install them correctly they will keep the flap up until you decide or have time to replace the handle, if that is 1 day or 10 years.
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