The Ford Barn

steve fritz · 02-01-2021, 06:54 PM

Putting the door panels on my 55 Ford wagon project. Its been a while since I did this. These handles and cranks have the little wire retainer spring clip that snaps over the splined stud on the window and door mechanisms. That wire clip is what holds the crank or handle in place on the splined stud.
I have the clip removal tool , but what is the best method for INSTALLING this clip when putting the handles and cranks back in place?
If I just push the clip into its final position in the crank and handle , will it slide over the splines and engage the groove when I push the handle or crank in?
Should I rap it with a rubber hammer to get it to seat ?
Anybody have the correct procedure on this?
Thanks for any suggestions from those who have done this.
Steve

dmsfrr · 02-01-2021, 07:28 PM

Do your door panels have springs behind them to keep the panel snug to the back side of the handle? Or thin plastic discs to keep the handle from damaging the door panel? Don't forget to put those pieces in place.

The ends of the shafts on the doors should be tapered a bit.
With the clips in place inside the handle they 'should' just push into place. Perhaps a test fitting without the retaining clips in place, to double-check the fit of the handles on their shafts may be a good idea???

paul2748 · 02-01-2021, 08:12 PM

For both my 56 Bird and 54 Ford, when reinstalling the handles I use a rubber hammer when the handles do not "click" in by hand. Maybe a little crude, but it works without any damage.

miker98038 · 02-01-2021, 08:43 PM

Dms and Paul have it right. Check the depth of the old handle against the new ones (if they're new) I had at least on set where they weren't quite deep enough, and I had to do a little drilling in the center of the bottom of the hole. Can't remember if that was a Ford or not.

steve fritz · 02-02-2021, 12:16 AM

OK thanks guys.....I will proceed that way tomorrow. I'll do the test fitting first without the clip. The 55 still used the metal shields , anyway thats what was on this car.
I think they might have started using the plastic ones in 56 and later.
I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes.
Thanks again!

56sedandelivery · 02-02-2021, 12:11 PM

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Good info. Not to that point yet but good to know. Now if I can remember it by the time I get to that point.

02-01-2021, 06:54 PM	#1
steve fritz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: onalaska , wisconsin Posts: 535	Installing interior door and window handles Putting the door panels on my 55 Ford wagon project. Its been a while since I did this. These handles and cranks have the little wire retainer spring clip that snaps over the splined stud on the window and door mechanisms. That wire clip is what holds the crank or handle in place on the splined stud. I have the clip removal tool , but what is the best method for INSTALLING this clip when putting the handles and cranks back in place? If I just push the clip into its final position in the crank and handle , will it slide over the splines and engage the groove when I push the handle or crank in? Should I rap it with a rubber hammer to get it to seat ? Anybody have the correct procedure on this? Thanks for any suggestions from those who have done this. Steve

02-01-2021, 07:28 PM	#2
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: Installing interior door and window handles Do your door panels have springs behind them to keep the panel snug to the back side of the handle? Or thin plastic discs to keep the handle from damaging the door panel? Don't forget to put those pieces in place. The ends of the shafts on the doors should be tapered a bit. With the clips in place inside the handle they 'should' just push into place. Perhaps a test fitting without the retaining clips in place, to double-check the fit of the handles on their shafts may be a good idea???

02-01-2021, 08:12 PM	#3
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Installing interior door and window handles For both my 56 Bird and 54 Ford, when reinstalling the handles I use a rubber hammer when the handles do not "click" in by hand. Maybe a little crude, but it works without any damage. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

02-01-2021, 08:43 PM	#4
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,397	Re: Installing interior door and window handles Dms and Paul have it right. Check the depth of the old handle against the new ones (if they're new) I had at least on set where they weren't quite deep enough, and I had to do a little drilling in the center of the bottom of the hole. Can't remember if that was a Ford or not.

02-02-2021, 12:16 AM	#5
steve fritz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: onalaska , wisconsin Posts: 535	Re: Installing interior door and window handles OK thanks guys.....I will proceed that way tomorrow. I'll do the test fitting first without the clip. The 55 still used the metal shields , anyway thats what was on this car. I think they might have started using the plastic ones in 56 and later. I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes. Thanks again!

02-02-2021, 12:11 PM	#6
56sedandelivery Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Arkansas Posts: 525	Re: Installing interior door and window handles Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good info. Not to that point yet but good to know. Now if I can remember it by the time I get to that point.