1960 Valiant Window and Door Handles removal

-
mario03srt

mario03srt

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2015
Messages
906
Reaction score
296
Location
Hillsboro Oh 45133
All,

I have a issue with removing the passenger door card to get at the internals. The window crank is stuck up, and the door latch is inop from the inside. These do not have a screw(s).

I pushed back the door card to see in behind the handles and do not see the retainer clip. It must be recessed or flush with the handle it self. I tried the rag behind handle to try and get the un seeable clip to slide off but no go. I have the original service manual and it indicates that special tool C-3448 is used to squeeze a clip that on the shaft.

Does anyone have a work around to remove these or a tool to loan?

Thanks,

Marion
 
The door cards like to warp inward toward the car interior, which makes this harder than it already is. There are descriptions of how to do it here (used to be a pic, but all the free pic hosting services enshittified when the venture capital startup funding dried up and they had to actually do more than pretend to be a company)
 
Dan,

Thanks for the reply. I have some trim tools and a small flat top screw driver that has a 90 degree bend at the top end. Wish I could see the back side. I’ll look and see at he manual and take a screen shot and post it here. Yes the door card is bowed inward. I can push it back and see the shaft and see a 360 groove looks like for a retaining clip but I guess not. And the beginning of a knurl? I’ll go out and shoot a picture of it too maybe.
 
Here are the details from the sm.

IMG_5127.jpeg


IMG_5125.jpeg
 
These can be incredibly hard to remove without the proper tools.
I use a good sturdy standard tablespoon (along with a trim stick) to pry against the the warped door card and release the spring pressure. (there usually is a spring back there behind the window crank and door handle lever too,) and also a usually completely failed / usually dry rotted escutcheon washer. I do not recommend re installing the coil spring behind the door card - it is not needed.

The most difficult part I have found is seeing where the clip is - There are 4 choices on the square bar for those as to where the releasing side of the clip may be.
 
slant six said:
What is the part # for this tool? I may have to look into one.
Click to expand...
It looks like a KD tool (by the handle but in 30 years of the tool business, I have never seen one.
 
I would **think** it has a pretty limited application, not sure if ford, Gm or imports have a square rod / Clip arrangement like the chryslers of the late 50's 60's did
 
Never mind it is in the Video K-D Nº 435, It was in the Video, Thank you.
 
I'm getting one from eBay. When I'm done with it I can loan it or sell it. Ill post picks of it when it arrives. No sense in buggering up my door card, its pretty Decent.
 
There is a groove in the square stud.
The handle has a square hole, and the clip is square, but it is offset slightly so one edge of the clip 'snaps' into the groove.

First pic shows clip set into handle, square of clip is offset to square of handle.
Second pic shows the 'tool' I made to get the handle off, a straight piece of metal with the end bent slightly.
Third pic, slide the 'tool' behind the handle, with the tool flat against the door panel the raised part of the tool will be on the outside of the clip.
Pull the tool away from the door panel, the clip becomes square with the handle hole and it pops right off.

The only issue is finding which side of the handle the clip is on, there are only 4 possibilities, and you can easily feel when it catches the clip vs not.

I've done this countless times, incredibly easy, I even had to 'make' a new 'tool' this last time around, the pics below, because I either lost the other one I made or used it for something else as it's just a piece of metal with the end bent.

Door handle 1.png


Door handle 2.png


Door handle 3.png
 
I always just used an old butter knife that I bent a bit to reach in and press against that spring clip.
 
matthon said:
There is a groove in the square stud.
The handle has a square hole, and the clip is square, but it is offset slightly so one edge of the clip 'snaps' into the groove.

First pic shows clip set into handle, square of clip is offset to square of handle.
Second pic shows the 'tool' I made to get the handle off, a straight piece of metal with the end bent slightly.
Third pic, slide the 'tool' behind the handle, with the tool flat against the door panel the raised part of the tool will be on the outside of the clip.
Pull the tool away from the door panel, the clip becomes square with the handle hole and it pops right off.

The only issue is finding which side of the handle the clip is on, there are only 4 possibilities, and you can easily feel when it catches the clip vs not.

I've done this countless times, incredibly easy, I even had to 'make' a new 'tool' this last time around, the pics below, because I either lost the other one I made or used it for something else as it's just a piece of metal with the end bent.

View attachment 1716366575

View attachment 1716366576

View attachment 1716366578
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great pics and details!
 
I wound up borrowing a teaspoon from the kitchen and it worked perfectly. Thanks again to all for the info. I had no idea what was behind there.
IMG_5132.jpeg
 
I got the card off and tackled the window and door latch issues and glad to report that I freed up all of the widgets inside the door. So know I can open and lock the door and roll up and down the window. Now I need some window fuzzies and a seal if there is one. I need to check the sm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top