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Old 02-02-2021, 11:56 PM   #1
jerbo
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Default How to remove driver's side door handle?

I read in Les Andrews book how to remove a non-locking door handle. He said:
"remove the two outside handle screws, turn left 1/4 turn and pull."
I tried it, nothing happened. I want to pull the drivers door handle to pull the latch to overhaul it. I cant get the handle to slip out at all. I also removed the sliding lock from inside and took out the 4 latch screws but cant see inside if their is a keeper on the square door square rod...stuck right there.
Anyone have the technique to pull the handle off 31 coupe?
tks, jerbo
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:26 AM   #2
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

The latch should be left screwed in place until the door handle is removed. Push the latch in flush with the door frame to release spring tension on the handle.
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Old 02-03-2021, 05:16 AM   #3
shew01
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

I had a lot of trouble removing my passenger side door handle. I just kept working with it, and it eventually came free. It’s old and finicky.


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Old 02-03-2021, 07:24 AM   #4
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

Another one of Fords antitheft devices, spray some penetrating oil onto the shaft from the latch. The 1/4 turn is a guess for sure, keep at it and once you get it figured out its easy.
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Old 02-03-2021, 11:23 AM   #5
Tinbasher
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

Yes, one you have to work with. Sometimes only a 1/16th of a turn to get the handle to relase from the latch. Sometimes a 1/4, sometime no turn at all. Original ones come out easier than the new ones. They seem to be too thick on the shaft and get stuck.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:49 PM   #6
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

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The end of the latch is shaped square. The hole it sits in is also square. On mine, even though it was rotated (clocked to come out). It wouldn't.
I had to tap, press it out a little then it came right out.
It's like the square on the end of the latch was very slightly mushroomed.
It's do-able, just takes a little persuasion.
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Old 02-03-2021, 02:12 PM   #7
Ernie Vitucci
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

Good afternoon...It has been a good few years...but it seems to me that I ended up having to turn to the opposite of what Les's book said to get the door handle to come out...try if without too much pressure and see if it works...Ernie in Arizona
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Old 02-04-2021, 09:09 AM   #8
Superhart
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

This may get a bit complicated but here goes. The door handle shaft is indeed square but towards the inner end of the handle it is machined round for approximately 1/2 inch and the very far end of the shaft is square again BUT at a 45 degree angle from the plane of the proximal part of the shaft. It was done this way to prevent someone from easily removing the handle unless they understood how it was made in the first place. That's why after removing the door handle screws you need to pull the handle out slightly and rotate it an eighth turn to the left to allow that rotated end of the square shaft to pass through the latch. If I recall correctly, I had to rotate the passenger side handle an eighth turn to the right to remove it (same way you would turn handle to open the door). After so many years there may be built up gunk, etc. accumulated on the end of the handle shaft that has hardened thus preventing easy removal. Some WD-40 may help sprayed on the latch/handle shaft. It takes some luck and finagling to get it out but you will succeed if you keep at it. Put the latch screws back in to secure the latch making sure that the small loop of latch spring that popped up behind the latch is tucked back inside the inside the door frame so the latch will sit flush. Once you get the handle and latch removed you will readily see why and how the pieces fit together and require that eighth turn to remove. Have fun and no cussing allowed. LOL

Last edited by Superhart; 02-04-2021 at 09:17 AM.
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Old 02-04-2021, 12:01 PM   #9
shew01
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Default How to remove driver's side door handle?

Here is a picture of my handle, if it helps.




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Old 02-04-2021, 12:44 PM   #10
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

Great explanation ,super hart.
One guy was able to remove a stuck handle by grinding the outer square round.
That was one of cal allen's tricks.
I have also seen a broken inner spring jam the handle. That I found doing the atoposy after hack sawing the shaft.
90 years of wear does complicate the job.
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Old 02-07-2021, 03:23 PM   #11
Superhart
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

Bob, don't tell anyone but grinding down the end of the shaft is the way I finally fixed my handle problem. Whenever I would tighten the handle mounting screws on the drivers door the handle would jam. Loosening the handle screws or using a double rubber gasket would solve the problem. I finally removed the handle and latch which allowed me to realize how these two parts actually fit together and why you need to make that 1/8-1/4 turn to remove the handle. I found that somehow when installed the square part of the shaft was jamming in the square hole on the inner pivot mount on the latch, not aligning as it should. Grinding a little off the square shaft to make it round solved the problem and now I can tighten the handle mount screws properly and use one lipped gasket. Still don't understand why this occurred on the drivers side but not on the passenger side.
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Old 02-07-2021, 03:35 PM   #12
Brentwood Bob
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Default Re: How to remove driver's side door handle?

More wear. Probably 100 times more use of drivers side. How did you grind the end? File, or dremel, or other?you did the grinding on the bench I'm guessing.
Here jerbo has the handle trapped in the door.
The example I mentioned above was done in situ.
That means in the door.
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