I've been trying to get the door and window handles off my '55 to remove the door panel to remove the lock to get a key made to fit the ignition. Got good advice here about the door handle release tool being too narrow to fit over the 'hub' of the door handle. Finally got a few minutes today to fiddle with it. Took a medium sized screw driver and pried between the handle and the large washer and used another to pop the clip out. Door handles off, door panel off but needs replicated. Now to remove the lock. Reach up in the door and remove u shaped clip and the rod and lock will come right off. Right? Wrong. Reached up in the door with a screwdriver and tried to pop the clip, slipped, cut my arm like I always do no matter what door Im working on. Tried again, same scenario. Hey, I think, the first thing I bought for this '55 is a shop manual. Let me go see what it says about removing the lock. Open door, peel back door weatherstrip in line with lock, use pliers to remove clip, remove lock. What?! That simple?! I do the procedure and now have the lock in hand ready to take to locksmith to get key made. Next...peroxide...
Yeah they changed to inserting the door lock clip from inside the door in the early/mid sixties which is what I have alot of experience with, and then in around '78 from the door jamb side like the '55 is but I always thought it was a 'new' improvement.
I have something better than a book ! You need to buy one of the 1949 to 1959 Ford disc I have . It will show all the exploded views if the different parts of the cars so you can see how if comes apart and goes back together . It will also help you see what parts are missing with the Ford numbers . If interested just send me a PM and I will tell you how to get one . It's the best $12 you will ever spend for your Ford ! I have sold well over 40 of them so far ! Good Luck with your project ! Jim
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