The Ford Barn

Old Henry · 01-25-2023, 08:11 PM

How do you fix a sagging outer door handle on a 47 Sedan?

millersgarage · 01-25-2023, 08:19 PM

replace the springs in the mechanism

Old Henry · 01-25-2023, 08:21 PM

I just bought a new handle hoping the bad spring was within it but it is not. Is it inside the door?

Kurt in NJ · 01-25-2023, 08:33 PM

a new latch sometimes is cheaper than springs, troll ebay, i got new latches for my 36 for 35$ shipped,
the square hole gets worn, one of the fixes was to twist the square shaft of the handle

69a · 01-25-2023, 08:38 PM

You can just twist it upwards by hand until it sits level when you release it. I did it with mine over 30 years ago.

Zeke3 · 01-25-2023, 08:38 PM

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I replaced the latch mechanism to repair a droopy handle on my 1937 car. Originally, i planned to replace the spring in the latch mechanism, but I found the whole latch and it was easy to change.

woodiewagon46 · 01-25-2023, 08:57 PM

Do not try to bend the stem of the handle to correct the sag. Fix it the correct way and replace the spring. Springs are available and it's a fairly easy replacement.

Old Henry · 01-25-2023, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69a

You can just twist it upwards by hand until it sits level when you release it. I did it with mine over 30 years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodiewagon46

Do not try to bend the stem of the handle to correct the sag. Fix it the correct way and replace the spring. Springs are available and it's a fairly easy replacement.

I understand now that the problem is in the latch mechanism. I would happily replace the entire mechanism but there are no such latches available anywhere that I could find. As I study the mechanism, it is not made so that the handle spring can be accessed and replaced by any non-destructive action. (The main latch spring is readily replaceable and I've done that before.) Neither have I found whatever spring would go in there if I were to cut into the thing. [Correction. Dennis Carpenter has it. I'll order it and see if I can figure out how to put it in.]

mcgarrett · 01-25-2023, 09:24 PM

The best way to fix the problem is remove the latch assembly and thoroughly clean it to remove all the grease and grime. Once clean, you can locate the offending broken spring. Mount the latch in a vise where you can have good access to make the repair. You will see that the spring is held in place by 2 short tabs that are bent at a 90 degree angle to the latch and pinched together to hold the spring. Use a propane torch with a narrow pinpoint flame and heat the 2 tabs until they are almost red. While still hot, you can then bend them SLIGHTLY; just enough to remove the spring without damaging the tabs. (Be careful with the tabs - you'll need to use them again). Install the new spring in the latch mechanism making sure it's nestled in the right spot and heat the 2 tabs again then take a pair of pliers and pinch them back together to firmly hold the spring in place. After things cool down, use your favorite spray lubricant on all the moving parts and you should be ready to reinstall. I would test it by inserting the handle and make sure it returns to suit you. You can do it!

cmbrucew · 01-25-2023, 09:25 PM

Welcome back Professor.
Take the latch with you to Ace hardware, or Lowes, or Home Depot and try to match it.
Once you have the new spring you can see how to heat the tabs and bend them up to access the broken spring. Slowly and carefully. It has been done.

Bruce

Old Henry · 01-25-2023, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

The best way to fix the problem is remove the latch assembly and thoroughly clean it to remove all the grease and grime. Once clean, you can locate the offending broken spring. Mount the latch in a vise where you can have good access to make the repair. You will see that the spring is held in place by 2 short tabs that are bent at a 90 degree angle to the latch and pinched together to hold the spring. Use a propane torch with a narrow pinpoint flame and heat the 2 tabs until they are almost red. While still hot, you can then bend them SLIGHTLY; just enough to remove the spring without damaging the tabs. (Be careful with the tabs - you'll need to use them again). Install the new spring in the latch mechanism making sure it's nestled in the right spot and heat the 2 tabs again then take a pair of pliers and pinch them back together to firmly hold the spring in place. After things cool down, use your favorite spray lubricant on all the moving parts and you should be ready to reinstall. I would test it by inserting the handle and make sure it returns to suit you. You can do it!

Now that right there is the kind of help that is really helpful. Thanks.

petehoovie · 01-25-2023, 10:57 PM

Glad 'Old Henry' is still being cared for. Welcome back, Craig!

There's an original right/passenger side front door latch assembly for sale on eBay right now. See > https://www.ebay.com/itm/15525743687...Bk9SR-qrkMS9YQ

Lawrie · 01-26-2023, 12:32 AM

Graig , welcome back, we have missed you and your travels,
Lawrie

Old Henry · 01-26-2023, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Glad 'Old Henry' is still being cared for. Welcome back, Craig!

There's an original right/passenger side front door latch assembly for sale on eBay right now. See > https://www.ebay.com/itm/15525743687...Bk9SR-qrkMS9YQ

Yeah, I found a lot of every latch except the driver's door that I need. Darn.

Returned from 18 month mission to Hong Kong in February. Getting ready to go on another to parts unknown. Just got Old Henry out of the body shop where he'd been for 3 months for repair after hitting a deer on a lonely road in Wyoming on a road trip in October. Heading out for a multiday road trip through the Colorado Rockies next week. Glad I've got the newfangled fresh air heater to keep little Lady (15 year old Chihuahua) and me warm.

Old Henry · 01-26-2023, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Graig , welcome back, we have missed you and your travels,
Lawrie

Thanks, Lawrie. Good to see you're still hittin' the road with your great outfit.

Kurt in NJ · 01-26-2023, 12:55 AM

I used to have a 46, I think there’s a latch in the box of excess 36 closed car latches , I should be going out to my shop by the weekend, I’ll look.

Brian · 01-26-2023, 02:12 AM

good to see you back craig, you have been missed

Ggmac · 01-26-2023, 05:28 AM

[QUOTE=Old Henry;2199273]I just bought a new handle hoping the bad spring was within it but it is not. Is it inside the door?[/delete
Delete

deuce lover · 01-26-2023, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Yeah, I found a lot of every latch except the driver's door that I need. Darn.

Returned from 18 month mission to Hong Kong in February. Getting ready to go on another to parts unknown. Just got Old Henry out of the body shop where he'd been for 3 months for repair after hitting a deer on a lonely road in Wyoming on a road trip in October. Heading out for a multiday road trip through the Colorado Rockies next week. Glad I've got the newfangled fresh air heater to keep little Lady (15 year old Chihuahua) and me warm.

Try Southside Obsolete in MN.Fred might have one.

corvette8n · 01-26-2023, 08:02 AM

Craig good to see you post, are you planning to record the Rockies trip?. After watching your Arches National park video it inspired me to see Grand Canyon and Arches before the pandemic.

Tim Ayers · 01-26-2023, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Try Southside Obsolete in MN.Fred might have one.

I came to say this. More than likely, Fred will be able to help you out.

Seth Swoboda · 01-26-2023, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Graig , welcome back, we have missed you and your travels,
Lawrie

Lawrie,

How'd the '34 do in the mud? Did you get stuck pulling the travel trailer?

Craig, do a blog about the Colorado trip please.

Seth

Old Henry · 01-26-2023, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Try Southside Obsolete in MN.Fred might have one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I came to say this. More than likely, Fred will be able to help you out.

Bingo! Fred has one.

Way better than trying to fix mine.

Thanks for the tip.

Ol' Ron · 01-26-2023, 04:44 PM

Yes, missed riding with you and the dog, hope he\s doing well.
Gramps

Lawrie · 01-26-2023, 06:24 PM

Seth,
Yes the 33 got stuck towing the caravan, it took me 5 hrs to get it out with some help from a friendly farmer, took ages to clean the mud from the under side later.
But had great fun.
Lawrie

Tim Ayers · 01-26-2023, 07:38 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Bingo! Fred has one.

Way better than trying to fix mine.

Thanks for the tip.

Excellent. Please post more picts of your trips out west. I use them for inspiration.

baceves · 01-26-2023, 10:10 PM

Had the same issue on my 47 Ford. I just swapped out the driver side door handles and put on the passenger side and put the passenger side on the driver side. It corrected the problem on 3 out of the 4 door handles.

Lawrie · 01-27-2023, 01:35 AM

will do, next trip is sometime in feb, but Allas will be in my 28ccpu, this time I will be roughing it, only taking a tent and cooker,
Lawrie

A bones · 01-27-2023, 07:32 AM

Say Craig, just recently we were talking about you.
Glad to hear from you.
Sorry you met the deer. Never fun that.
I'm sure you will make Henry's handle right.

01-25-2023, 08:11 PM	#1
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	47 outer door handle sagging How do you fix a sagging outer door handle on a 47 Sedan? __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

01-25-2023, 08:19 PM	#2
millersgarage Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Lansing MI Posts: 188	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging replace the springs in the mechanism

01-25-2023, 08:21 PM	#3
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging I just bought a new handle hoping the bad spring was within it but it is not. Is it inside the door? __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

01-25-2023, 08:33 PM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging a new latch sometimes is cheaper than springs, troll ebay, i got new latches for my 36 for 35$ shipped, the square hole gets worn, one of the fixes was to twist the square shaft of the handle

01-25-2023, 08:38 PM	#5
69a Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 142	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging You can just twist it upwards by hand until it sits level when you release it. I did it with mine over 30 years ago.

01-25-2023, 08:38 PM	#6
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,406	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I replaced the latch mechanism to repair a droopy handle on my 1937 car. Originally, i planned to replace the spring in the latch mechanism, but I found the whole latch and it was easy to change.

01-25-2023, 08:57 PM	#7
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,554	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Do not try to bend the stem of the handle to correct the sag. Fix it the correct way and replace the spring. Springs are available and it's a fairly easy replacement.

01-25-2023, 09:24 PM	#9
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging The best way to fix the problem is remove the latch assembly and thoroughly clean it to remove all the grease and grime. Once clean, you can locate the offending broken spring. Mount the latch in a vise where you can have good access to make the repair. You will see that the spring is held in place by 2 short tabs that are bent at a 90 degree angle to the latch and pinched together to hold the spring. Use a propane torch with a narrow pinpoint flame and heat the 2 tabs until they are almost red. While still hot, you can then bend them SLIGHTLY; just enough to remove the spring without damaging the tabs. (Be careful with the tabs - you'll need to use them again). Install the new spring in the latch mechanism making sure it's nestled in the right spot and heat the 2 tabs again then take a pair of pliers and pinch them back together to firmly hold the spring in place. After things cool down, use your favorite spray lubricant on all the moving parts and you should be ready to reinstall. I would test it by inserting the handle and make sure it returns to suit you. You can do it!

01-25-2023, 09:25 PM	#10
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Welcome back Professor. Take the latch with you to Ace hardware, or Lowes, or Home Depot and try to match it. Once you have the new spring you can see how to heat the tabs and bend them up to access the broken spring. Slowly and carefully. It has been done. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time Last edited by cmbrucew; 01-25-2023 at 09:27 PM. Reason: I type slow

01-25-2023, 10:57 PM	#12
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,076	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Glad 'Old Henry' is still being cared for. Welcome back, Craig! There's an original right/passenger side front door latch assembly for sale on eBay right now. See > https://www.ebay.com/itm/15525743687...Bk9SR-qrkMS9YQ __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 01-25-2023 at 11:17 PM.

01-26-2023, 12:55 AM	#16
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging I used to have a 46, I think there’s a latch in the box of excess 36 closed car latches , I should be going out to my shop by the weekend, I’ll look.

01-26-2023, 02:12 AM	#17
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging good to see you back craig, you have been missed __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

01-26-2023, 05:28 AM	#18
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,088	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging [QUOTE=Old Henry;2199273]I just bought a new handle hoping the bad spring was within it but it is not. Is it inside the door?[/delete Delete

01-26-2023, 08:02 AM	#20
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,944	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Craig good to see you post, are you planning to record the Rockies trip?. After watching your Arches National park video it inspired me to see Grand Canyon and Arches before the pandemic.

01-26-2023, 04:44 PM	#24
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Yes, missed riding with you and the dog, hope he\s doing well. Gramps

01-26-2023, 06:24 PM	#25
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,212	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Seth, Yes the 33 got stuck towing the caravan, it took me 5 hrs to get it out with some help from a friendly farmer, took ages to clean the mud from the under side later. But had great fun. Lawrie Last edited by Lawrie; 01-26-2023 at 06:31 PM. Reason: spelling

01-26-2023, 10:10 PM	#27
baceves Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: La Puente, CA Posts: 31	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Had the same issue on my 47 Ford. I just swapped out the driver side door handles and put on the passenger side and put the passenger side on the driver side. It corrected the problem on 3 out of the 4 door handles.

01-27-2023, 01:35 AM	#28
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,212	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging will do, next trip is sometime in feb, but Allas will be in my 28ccpu, this time I will be roughing it, only taking a tent and cooker, Lawrie

01-27-2023, 07:32 AM	#29
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,282	Re: 47 outer door handle sagging Say Craig, just recently we were talking about you. Glad to hear from you. Sorry you met the deer. Never fun that. I'm sure you will make Henry's handle right. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.