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Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 5:44 pm
by ModelTWoods
I have an improved car outside door handle with a broken, rusted spring behind the escutcheon plate. Taking it apart to replace the broken spring was easy, I just had to grind/file the crimped shoulders behind the spring retainer to remove the retainers and the broken spring from the square shaft. Putting it together is easy until it comes to crimping the square shaft behind the spring retainer so everything stays in place. I do not have access to a press or a heat torch to help make the crimps, and trying to hold the square shaft in a bench vise while smacking a chisel with a mechanics ball peen hammer, is almost impossible (I tried). anyone got any suggestions?
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:48 pm
by varmint
Maybe tack welds?
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 10:50 pm
by ModelTWoods
varmint wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:48 pm
Maybe tack welds?
Vern, I had thought of that, but in addition to not having access to a press or a torch, I don't have personal access to an electric welder and because of my pacemaker, I can't weld, anyway. I'll just have to find a local welder.
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:15 am
by Mike Silbert
Is there a club member near you that can help?
Someone in your local chapter?
I would fix it no charge for you, but I am 1600 miles away.
Helping each other is one of the benefits of the club.
Mike
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:59 am
by varmint
I'm 542 miles on I-10 and would do it for free.
Maybe someone's closer.
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:36 am
by Jerry VanOoteghem
ModelTWoods wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 5:44 pm
I have an improved car outside door handle with a broken, rusted spring behind the escutcheon plate. Taking it apart to replace the broken spring was easy, I just had to grind/file the crimped shoulders behind the spring retainer to remove the retainers and the broken spring from the square shaft. Putting it together is easy until it comes to crimping the square shaft behind the spring retainer so everything stays in place. I do not have access to a press or a heat torch to help make the crimps, and trying to hold the square shaft in a bench vise while smacking a chisel with a mechanics ball peen hammer, is almost impossible (I tried). anyone got any suggestions?
Can you post a photo of the area of concern?
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:19 pm
by ModelTWoods
Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:36 am
ModelTWoods wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 5:44 pm
I have an improved car outside door handle with a broken, rusted spring behind the escutcheon plate. Taking it apart to replace the broken spring was easy, I just had to grind/file the crimped shoulders behind the spring retainer to remove the retainers and the broken spring from the square shaft. Putting it together is easy until it comes to crimping the square shaft behind the spring retainer so everything stays in place. I do not have access to a press or a heat torch to help make the crimps, and trying to hold the square shaft in a bench vise while smacking a chisel with a mechanics ball peen hammer, is almost impossible (I tried). anyone got any suggestions?
Can you post a photo of the area of concern?
Jerry, I'm not sure what good posting a picture of the handle will do, but here you go. The square shaft was originally crimped in the area where the vise grips are attached holding the spring and retainer in proper place. One small bead of weld on two opposite sides of the shaft would also hold things in place. A local club member has done welding for me in the past, But I feel guilty asking him for so many favors.
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:39 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
ModelTWoods wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:19 pm
Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:36 am
ModelTWoods wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 5:44 pm
I have an improved car outside door handle with a broken, rusted spring behind the escutcheon plate. Taking it apart to replace the broken spring was easy, I just had to grind/file the crimped shoulders behind the spring retainer to remove the retainers and the broken spring from the square shaft. Putting it together is easy until it comes to crimping the square shaft behind the spring retainer so everything stays in place. I do not have access to a press or a heat torch to help make the crimps, and trying to hold the square shaft in a bench vise while smacking a chisel with a mechanics ball peen hammer, is almost impossible (I tried). anyone got any suggestions?
Can you post a photo of the area of concern?
Jerry, I'm not sure what good posting a picture of the handle will do, but here you go. The square shaft was originally crimped in the area where the vise grips are attached holding the spring and retainer in proper place. One small bead of weld on two opposite sides of the shaft would also hold things in place. A local club member has done welding for me in the past, But I feel guilty asking him for so many favors.
Terry,
I thought that a photo might help to suggest an alternate method of fixing the retainer in place. If you feel it wouldn't help, then you can skip it. No problem.
Re: Replairing Outside Door Handle on 26-27
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:28 pm
by ModelTWoods
Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:39 pm
ModelTWoods wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 6:19 pm
Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:36 am
Can you post a photo of the area of concern?
Jerry, I'm not sure what good posting a picture of the handle will do, but here you go. The square shaft was originally crimped in the area where the vise grips are attached holding the spring and retainer in proper place. One small bead of weld on two opposite sides of the shaft would also hold things in place. A local club member has done welding for me in the past, But I feel guilty asking him for so many favors.
Terry,
I thought that a photo might help to suggest an alternate method of fixing the retainer in place. If you feel it wouldn't help, then you can skip it. No problem.
Jerry, I've tried resizing the picture that I took with my cell phone, so many times that I'm now cross eyed. I give up. Sorry, can't post picture.