Removed the passenger side door panel today (1993 base model) to diagnose why the power lock was not working. The actuator is fine and functioning. The problem (as seen in the pics) is the hinge that attaches to the rod. It has rusted and snapped off. I have been trying to find a hinge part number but having no luck. Hopefully someone here can be of assistance.

Thanks in advance!

Ozz

 

People that need seem to never mention the year of the car! What year is yours?

The lever is attached as an assembly to the inner door panel. You need the inner door aluminum assembly OR a talented person could duplicate the rivet that it pivots on after they removed one from a good panel.

If that's your car in your "avatar" then there's this MY break, MY '90 - '93 would be the same by part number and MY '94 - '96 would be the same. Could you make do with either? Maybe but the actuator changed so I'd try for the correct years that should fit. Regardless of which ever you got you may need to drill holes for he actuator mount.

 

Car is a '93 base, thread edited, thanks

 

It's a boomerange shaped piece of aluminum with three holes drilled in it.

You can use a 90* flat corner plate brace from Home Depot or Lowes then, rivet or use a short bolt, spacer and nylon locknut to secure it to the inner door frame.







.

 

I believe I'd try for the "right stuff" here. There should be certainly some door parts if a person posted a WTB for cheap. I'd think that locally if a person located the right salvage yard you could negotiate the "right price" and be able to deal "toe to toe" with the seller.

I believe the "home store" would be the last resort. I'd duplicate one from just plain sheet galvanized stock before I'd attempt the "Stanley" corner brace.

I don't believe the legs are of equal length so it could certainly be an adventure. You could drill out or just drill off the peened area that's attaching it and lay it out and decide. It might be interesting if you do that anyway to see just what you have.

It's wide open and I'd think 5 minutes would put it in your hand. Post a couple snapshots in the "parts" section and have someone either send you the panel or remove one from a panel and send it on. I've got a perfect earlier door so I need to keep it intact but there should be many '90 - '93 doors out there. If it's just flat stock (likely is) you could use either side likely for your fix. I don't recall ever seeing any offsets on the lever in doors I've had apart but it wouldn't surprise me if there were. That would make the part side specific and rule out the "Stanley" fix!

 

Yes, i would prefer to use an OEM boomer rang hinge bracket. If i cant find an oem then I will have to machine one myself. There is a weird bend that has to mount on the 'zig zag' part of the rod where it bends, and attaches by 'twisting' onto the rod. Like two legs wrapped around a pole. It's a small thing but a big pain in da azz. Hopefully someone will see this post and have a solution with the part i need, in the meantime I will post an ad in the want to buy section. Thanks for the ideas.

Good thing is with the door panel off I replaced the outer door window seal!

 

Anyone else have this problem?

 

If you can't find the part from any of the vendors or in the parts section here, there's a seller on ebay that deals in all the little parts for C4s. Redneck43 I think... I bought some spring shims from there that I couldn't find anyplace else. He has a "store" on ebay and, at least in what I was looking for, a pretty good inventory list to check... and only C4 Corvette stuff.

 

Thanks for the info

 

Probably won't find someone who will sell just the lever. Here's a company with the whole panel assembly from a 90. Ad says they have 5 for sale. $37.00 shipped or make an offer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C4-CORVETTE-RIGHT-HAND-INNER-DOOR-PANEL-MOUNT-PLATE-VGC-/180394858875?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a005f197b&vxp=mtr

 

Posts #8 and #10 offer reasonable solutions for sure and depending upon your "skill set" it could be much easier to replace the correct panel as an assembly rather than doing the removal of the rivet and then reassembling it. If you've no experience in attaching parts that need to pivot on an adjacent panel it could get to be an aggravating issue very quick.

Have you drilled yours out yet like I suggested earlier? If you do it could make your decision an easy one. Did you try any local salvage?

I've saved pivoting rivets similar to those in the past and at first glance it might not require that much effort. The panel would need to be removed from the door to do it I believe so panel replacement for the "novice" becomes maybe easier.

 

Yes, the rivet has been drilled out with the panel in place. I began to make a new part from scratch out of thin aluminum. The finished steel piece will be very precise and accurate. I just don't know what the broken end needs to look like so I am at a standstill. I may have to remove the drivers side to see what the design should be but hoping to get an OEM first, or maybe someone can email me a pic. I am very experienced at automotive mechanical repairs. Been working on cars for 25+ years and in the construction industry. When it comes to tools, I got it!! lol

If i could get a factory piece i would make an exact 'copy' so I could help others if they needed dimensions. Using 1/16" thick steel for the finished part. The template in the pic is made of aluminum for easy design fabrication and fitment.

 

I haven't used my locks in 4 years so I wouldn't know lol. Park it everywhere unlocked. Who'd have the *****/stupidity to break into a Vette?
I guess I would lock it up.. if my damn locks worked
If this thread gets more replies and a sh*tload of info gets posted.. I might attempt to fix them tomorrow.
Good luck with yours.

 

Good Job, Ozzstar!...

It's not rocket science to fabricate this simple part!...

 

Just a thought, the other (missing) half isn't in the bottom of the door cavity is it?

 

No it isn't Dan, I wish it was!!

 

Now if I had a picture of the section that was missing I could get to work making a new one.

It is rocket science to most! Some are more mechanically inclined than others

 

I tried a mirror and some snapshots but the mirror I have is to large to get behind the lever. I tried a cell phone with no mirror but that didn't do well either. If I can put my hands on another smaller mirror I may try again for you. I've got 10 -12 images that just don't work!

 

WVZR thanks for all your effort! Another day has gone by and I'm still in the same boat as yesterday. LOL At least today I refinished the stock mufflers and tail pipes in high temp flat black while I wait, looks much better.

 

Thanks Hooked, I emailed the ebay seller hoping to move forward. The picture in the link looks similiar to my '93 but not exact. He has it listed as a '90. I'll report back if i find out any more info.