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drooping ford f! door handles

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by carlkern, Nov 7, 2011.

  1. carlkern
    Joined: Apr 9, 2011
    Posts: 7

    carlkern
    Member

    Is there a fix for drooping door handles on a 50 ford f1 pickup without replacing the whole door handle unit thanks
     
  2. Yea replace the spring. You'll have to take it apart to see what is shot for sure.
     
  3. Flathead Johnny
    Joined: Jul 26, 2011
    Posts: 744

    Flathead Johnny
    Member
    from MA

    i'm wondering why you want to lower the handles? did you lift it? i have a 56 f100 and i'm just curious
     
  4. Crankhole
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 2,644

    Crankhole
    Member

    hahaha...he said "drooping", not "dropping". I had to read it a second time too.

     
  5. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,756

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    I have used 2 crescent wrenches to put a slight twist in the square shaft that opens the door so that the handle is straight again when at rest. Basically taking out the slop that has developed from the wear and tear. Usually it's just wear and the droop can be "adjusted out" a little at a time. If it's too bad then it may require replacing or rebuilding the latch. You will have to look at it to find out where the slop is to determine how to correct it.
     
  6. X2 except I lock it in a vise and use very little heat. just one screw on the inside to pull those handles
     
  7. 325w
    Joined: Feb 18, 2008
    Posts: 6,513

    325w
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    x2 on the vice and wrench.
     
  8. sammamishsam
    Joined: Feb 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,590

    sammamishsam
    Member

    I tried the twisting and I also replaced the spring. Neither gave the handle that solid feel you'd like to see. Ultimately, I replaced the whole mechanism on the driver's side when a tang broke. Once I compared the new unit to the old unit, it was obvious the wear was sufficient that the other solutions would only be stop gap. But Geez, those things are pricey and Bob Drake only sells them in pairs. They aren't that hard to replace though.
     
  9. Flathead Johnny
    Joined: Jul 26, 2011
    Posts: 744

    Flathead Johnny
    Member
    from MA

    whoops lol....misread it

     
  10. IowaMercMan
    Joined: Sep 22, 2008
    Posts: 535

    IowaMercMan
    Member

    Swap sides. Put the left handle on the right door, and the right on the left door.Seriously. it works
     
  11. bobj49f2
    Joined: Jun 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,966

    bobj49f2
    Member

    I've fixed the drooping door handles a few times. It's very common in the '48-52 Ford trucks. It's really easy but you have to remove the mechanism to get to it. What happens is the metal gets worn away. I just cleaned the metal in the worn area really good and built it back up with a few spot welds. It should last another 60 years.
     
  12. tiquer
    Joined: Oct 21, 2010
    Posts: 65

    tiquer
    Member

    Sounds good except the ones I saw 40 years ago where drooping. So that means you only get 20 years:D:D
     

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