Exterior Door Handle Replacement

[Martin N.]

Anything I should know or watch for when I start replacement of my exterior door handles on my 74 this week? It looks a little tight in there. If anybody has been there / done that, I'd appreciate your first hand knowledge on this. THANKS.

Marty

[Mike M.]

Re: Exterior Door Handle Replacement

Extreme patience required.
Very simple process. Limited access creates huge barriers.
If you have the necessary tools, it's a snap. I didn't.
After a few tries to secure the upper clip, I loosened the four screws around the latch at the end of the door and I think removed three to swing the mechanism away to provide adequate access for a finger or two to complete the project.
HaND

[Martin N.]

Re: Exterior Door Handle Replacement

MIKE-
I've got the tools (I'm an ex-Buick Line Tech.). But that patience thing?

Marty

[Alan S.]

Re: Exterior Door Handle Replacement

Hi Martin,
I found you have to be very careful as you actually take the handle out of the opening in the door. It's quite easy to catch the the long arm of the hinge, which holds the return spring, on the edge of the fiberglass. The door handle itself doesn't offer much of a 'reveal' to cover even a small chip in the fiberglass. Ask me how I learned this. You just need to be careful!
Regards,
Alan