In the precess of restoration of a 26 Canadian Fordor, I have run into a problem in disassembly of the doors. I thought that taking the screws out of the estuchion plate should allow the handle shaft to slide out of the latch mechanism. Even hitting the back side of the shaft with a drift will not budge it. Taking the latch assembly apart as much as I can, I found a ring with a toggle lever as expected at the distal end of the shaft, but can see no set screw or other means of securing it. The handle needs to come off so that the latch can be either repaired to working order or replaced. Does anyone have any secrets as to how to remove the handle?
I don't remember exactly but I think you have to turn the handle then pull. This keeps a locked door from being opened by simply removing the outer screws. This method was carried into the Model A as I recall.
Dale:
I have a 1927 Canadian Tudor. Though I've never seen the workings of a Fordor, I'd speculate that they are similar. I've simplified this - not to insult your intelligence, but because I was brand new to this six years ago and needed it outlined this way. I've taken out both latches; the passenger side to add a lock and the driver's side to make repairs and discovered that it is so worn, that the lock will not hold on it's own - I have to use a bungi cord to pull the inner handle back to keep the driver's door locked. I take my car to the store about once a week, so the lock's will prevent the curious from going where they shouldn't.
Instructions for removing the driver's side latch assembly
1. Remove the two Robertson screws on the outside handle and pull it out;
2. Remove the two screws on back side of the door jam, where the latch is;
3. Remove the two screws on the inside panel. Now the entire latch assembly is free;
4. Unscrew the knob on top of the inner door handle;
5. Tip the latch assembly towards the back part of the car, gradually turning it on to where it's almost on it's side with the inner handle facing back. The latch will drop down to the bottom hole of the door and now can be removed.
For the passenger side, you'll need to also remove the lock assembly prior to removing the latch.
I hope this helps.
I understand getting the lockset out, my problem is getting the door handle out of the lockset. Should it just slide out when the two outside screws are removed, or is there something else holding it in place, or is it just rusted in and something is going to have to be cut/sacrificed to disassemble the door.
The door handle and the square shaft should pull right out if I remember correctly. I'll take a closer peek at mine later today and see if that doesn't solve the riddle. When I replaced my lockset, it was rusted in and I had the break it apart to get it out. The new one has never fit properly, so I made a plastic shim that has more or less held it in place.
Dale:
I pulled mine apart tonight and it's just a single set screw that holds the lock in place. You should be able to push the lock out from the inside.