Having a big issue taking off the handles off my 54. I don't see a C clip or anything holding it for that matter. How can I take these off so I can install my side trim? Thanks in advance.
i just took mine off my 55 i was wanting to make sure it was made the same way i thought it was. there is a plate that covers it in between the handle and the door panel. the door panel is pushing on the plate because there is a spring that is in between the door and panel. you need to push the plate back so you can get to the clip. i used my pocket screwdriver the move the plate in enough to get a regular screw driver in to hold the plate back enough to use my pocket screwdriver to remove the clip. you will need a little flashlight you can put in your mouth to help you see. i will take pictures of the ofending parts im talking about when i go back downstairs.
Harbour frieght has the door handle/ trim removal tool set for like 8 bucks. Push the door panel in as much as you can. The clips groove is the closest thing next to the base of the handle. You will have to slide the tool or smallest screw driver or pick in line with the handle itself. You will most likey have to work at it to get it to release.
ok this is is the crank, if you look close you can see the ridge or grove in the part that gose on the spline right next to the big round part. this is all the peices i talked about. this shows where the clip gose. this show how the plate covers the clip so you cant see it. i hope this helps yes harbor freight and almost any parts store sells a special tool to push the clip out. ive just never bought one.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?u=64066 This tool is in my album, it's the only way i know how to post pictures. I find this tool at swapmeets. I have never bought on where the seller knows what it is, makes for good bargaining.
I have the same tool and worked great for the first 3 doors . When it came to the p***enger front door I spent over an hour on it trying to get that damn clip off . No luck at all . After about 4 days trying at different time trying to get it off I did the next best thing . I tore the complete door panel off in pieces to get to that damn clip . Well when I finally got the clip off the door handle it still wouldn't come off . Well by this time I have enough of this BS so it's still like that right now ! I did this last summer and I still haven't removed the door handle . Seems like the last owner glued the thing on or something like that . Not to worry about ripping off the door panel either . I have 4 brand new door panels I won on Ebay 3 years ago for like $70 to my door ! They are all black but brand new ! Sometimes those door "C" clips can be a real bear . Getting that thin piece of metal away from the door handle can be a bear sometimes but found out that a knife works very well to separate that round thin metal cover from the door handle . Jim
on my buddys 55 coe they were rusted in. i wound up having to bust the handles off. so i could gut the doors.
Ha, some funny stuff Jim! Not really though. But I know what you mean, very very frustrating, trying to get those damn clips off! I got one of those little tools too, darn-near ruined it getting the clips off and that was years ago. And it's easy to damage a trim panel while trying to remove the clips if not careful. I still haven't put the clips back on mine and probably won't. Instead, I'll probably just put a small piece of tape or something similar in the regulator stem, just enough for a 'press-fit' to secure the handles but not so much as to keep them from being removed later if necessary. No glue!
took my second rear ddor apart tonight and had to hammer the clip it. it was coroded in. still just using my pocket screwdriver. you would think somebody who dose this stuff for a living would buy one of those tools, lol.
Great information and picture reference for my next job...BUT, do I really have to remove the door panels to gain access to remove the outside door handles. Seems to me I saw a video somewhere where the owner removed the inside metal window frame and it looked as if there was access there??? Bruce
I have one of those tools hanging on the wall making it look as if I own a lot of tools. What do I use to get the door handles off? The tool my high school teacher told us all to make back in 1960. With about a six inch chunk of broken hack saw blade, wrap tape around the first half, then grind a hook in the opposite end. Bend it just a little 2 1/2 inches from the hook end. With a medium screw driver, get between the flat piece and the door panel, turn sideways to hold it, and fish the clip out with the hook. Way easier than the stupid tool.
I've got the tool and it works great on the 60's Fords but not on the '55. I wound up using a shop rag between the handle and disc working it back and forth until it caught on the clip. With the handle off I could see that tool was too narrow to slide around the hub of the handle.
I'm gonna tape a piece of cereal box (preferably Wheaties) to the door panel so I don't mess it up IF, that is, IF, I have to remove them to remove the outside door handles....anyone?
You need to remove the interior handles to remove the exterior door handles. There is a Phillips screw underneath the rubber weatherstrip for one fixing. The other screw fixing needs to be undone by using a screwdriver pointing up at an angle through the door. They are easy to get off with the door panels/cards off and out of, the way. To do it without taking these panels off would be nigh on impossible. you would have remove the windows (which means you have to remove the door panels). Regards
The whole reason I was removing mine was to remove the door lock so I can get a key made for the ignition. Guess what! The door lock retaining clip is on the end of the door!
Finally replaced both drivers and p***enger outer door handles on my '55 wagon today without completely removing the door panels. I removed the inner window frame, and used that goofy clip removal tool to loosen the panel from the doors. I then rolled the window all the way up, and was able to use a flashlight and see and remove the 2nd screw holding the handle on. This was all done while carefully pulling ever so carefully the door panel away giving me just enough room to slide the screwdriver up into the access hole to do this. Tomorrow I'll do the rear doors. Bruce
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