Im finishing up taking out the interior from my 41 Chevy, and I'm wondering how to remove the door handles and window cranks. Is there a set screw I'm missing?
If it has the snap clips on the back of the handles and cranks ,they make a tool for popping them off.Im not sure about a 41 but i know 49 and up used them.If there is no set screw in the center of the crank or handle ,then it has a snap clip on the back side.You can also use a piece of bailing wire with a sharp hook bent on the end and hook the other end of the clip to pull it off.Its tricky if you have never done it though .I think the tool is like $10.00 from any parts store...
Be prepared to either be really lucky or driven insane. The tool they sell in the parts stores is junk and will bend up after a couple of tries. I'd still get it anyway if I were you, you may get lucky and they pop right off. About half mine were easy and the other half, well, insanity. WHY WON'T YOU COME OFF?!!!! That kind of thing. The only other tip I can give you is you gotta know which way to push the clip to get it off. The clip can be oriented in just about any direction. So get something to pry the door handle in and shine a light to see which way the clip is facing. This is what the tool looks like... This is what the clip looks like...
The clips are oriented only along the line of the handle shaft to the knob. There are two sizes of clips, large and small, hence the dual sizing of the tool illustrated above. Early, 33-38, handles have short hubs, later, 39-48, ones have long hubs. Early p***enger cars use clips, pickups have mounting screws in the center of the handle shaft.
I had the same problem,new it had to be something you could do to get them off,glad you asked this question helped me out as well-thanks
the older chevies have smaller clips and the tool pictured above usually wont work. I push back on the door panel and use a seal pic to work them out.
I used the same method except I had to pretty much destroy the door panels to get in there to get the clips out. It didn't matter because the panels were rotten anyway. Those little *******s fought me the whole way. I guess being on there for 69 years had something to do with it. The latter model, bigger design clips are easy to get out. You can even use a rag behind the handle.
My Dad was an upholsterer in the 60's and 70's and he had some special pliers but would often use a shop rag to pull back and forth. Man I wish I had paid closer attention.
Just take a large paper clip, straighten it out except leave a 90 degree bend on one end for a handle. Take needle nose pliers and bend a real small hook in the end, it should actually be about 120 degrees - like this: _____\ Has to be the large paper clip so the wire is strong enough, a small clip will pull the hook straight. Reach in and hook the clip and pull it out. You may have to fish it in there and pushing the door panel back helps. The clip could be facing to the handle or away from the handle, try to look and see. Or just fish from either side until it catches. The paper clip is free and works good once you understand how to get the clip and pull it straight out. Then the handle pulls right off.
First off there are no stupid questions here ! I have used those so called tools that you spend money for and it's like picking a lock sometimes . I took a cheap long straight screwdriver and bent it about 2" from the end . That worked pretty well most of the time but it's still like picking a damn lock . You either get it or you start cussing a lot ! Have fun ! Retro Jim
I really appreciate EVERYONES answers. Giving me a lot of options. Unfortunately weather ****s today and i worked late, so...hopefully tomorrow i can get out there
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