inside handle removal


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By San Diego Ron - 17 Years Ago
The only reason I got the drivers side off is because I destroyed the door panel. The other three doors have good panels and I hope to reuse the base. I tried the door handle removal tool, tried the shop towel and ladies nylons (told by forum members to drag these idems thru to snag the "C" ring and pull it off), tried bent ice pick, bent pocket knife blade, big screwdrivers, little screwdrivers, bent tweasers, pieces of wire, tried swearing at them, tried begging....now thinking, how bad can it be to have one new door panel and three that are worn and soiled. The handles are held tight to panel with spring between door and panel and yes I did separate the big washer from the back side of handle to get at the grove and yes I am going in the right direction to push the ring off. I have done this before many times on different cars and never had a problem but I've spent hours trying to get these things off and I'm getting nowherew00t....the handles areBigGrin at me....HELP !!!
By Hoosier Hurricane - 17 Years Ago
Ron:

I also have the slide in tool.  I noticed the other day when pulling a handle on my '57, if I left the slide in tool in place, the handle wouldn't come off.  If I used the tool to push the clip back, then removed the tool, the handle came right off.  So I stuck the tool back in the slot and looked, and the two "ears?" of the tool that pushed the clip out protruded into the groove and wouldn't let the handle come off.  I don't know if your '55 handles are exactly like the '57s.  I know that my tool won't work on my '53 truck, seems like the slot in the tool isn't wide enough.  Been a while, maybe I'm not remembering right.  Maybe comparing your tool to the handle you already have off will tell you what's happening.

John

By San Diego Ron - 17 Years Ago
I tried...I failed...I quit w00t w00t w00t

Thought I had the perfect solution, used an adjustable cargo holding bar from my pick-up truck bed between front doors to press the spring loaded door panel away from the handle to relieve pressure enough to remove "C" clip and slide off handle. Good idea but no workie! Tomorrow or as soon as I can force myself back out there...I will just rip the door panels apart by any means to remove handles and start from scratch...anyone out there want a good deal on a '55 Town Sedan that could use three new door panels?

By Eddie Paskey - 17 Years Ago
Hey Ron;  What I have used in the past , in fact just last week on my 55 Bird.  Take a old hack saw blade and grind a hook in one end. Slip a long srewdriver or even a stick between the panel a door handle. Bend a slight curve in the blade and slip it in behind the handle, with the window down you should be able to see the clip, working from the large end of the handle grab the clip and gently pull.  Some times have to pull both top and botom.  Once you get the clip out far enough, take a long needle nose pliers and pull it the rest of the way out..   Hope this Helps   Eddie
By Gerry - 17 Years Ago
A body shop friend told me to find an old silk stocking and run it around pulling from side to side It will hook an edge of the clip and pull it right off. Gerry
By San Diego Ron - 17 Years Ago
Thanks Eddie,

The hack saw blade did the trick...made little hook in the end and was able to pry off the "C" ring. After removing handle and replacing "C" ring, saw that the ends did not stick up even a tiny bit so it could be caught with draging material across. Before the handles go back on I'll try and locate larger "C" rings (or whatever they are called).

Thanks to all the replies and help, Ron

By paul2748 - 17 Years Ago
Ron: The lock rings are available - The Ford parts suppliers should have them. If you can't find some one that does, I know that Classic Auto Supply (CASCO) a TBird parts supplier has them. Part #357550S. 35 cents each. These are the same rings that are used for the windows