The Ford Barn

Chucks32 · 12-11-2017, 01:01 PM

what do I do to fix my sagging door handles on my 40 coupe? a lot of play in them.

19Fordy · 12-11-2017, 01:07 PM

What I did was remove door and window handles, then the door panel and then the door latch itself. Then carefully opened up the latch mechanism and installed a new spring. I then reassembled the latch. It's a tedious process. I know there are other methods such as literally twisting the square rod that the handle fits onto. Drake has new springs.Read all the following and put an ad in Wanted section.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...archid=9740820
Check Ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ch&_sacat=6000

4dFord/SC · 12-11-2017, 01:31 PM

A "field expedient" fix is to place a rubber hose washer between handle and the door.

Darrell S · 12-11-2017, 03:11 PM

I just went through this on the 48. I replaced both springs in the drivers door latch, still have the passenger door to do. The handle was sagging down over half way, now it is up where it should be. There is a very small amount of slack or play due to the latch wear over the years. Others on this site didn't recommend twisting the shaft.

TJ · 12-11-2017, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell S

I just went through this on the 48. I replaced both springs in the drivers door latch, still have the passenger door to do. The handle was sagging down over half way, now it is up where it should be. There is a very small amount of slack or play due to the latch wear over the years. Others on this site didn't recommend twisting the shaft.

Twisting the shaft does not solve the weak spring problem. Eventually the spring will break

fortyfords · 12-11-2017, 07:06 PM

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If the spring was good, the latch really makes a sharp snapping noise when shutting the door. I always took the latch apart and welded up all the wear spots and usually the square hole where the handle shaft passed through the latch; I would weld the hole square again to eliminate the drooping handle.

Kube · 12-11-2017, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

What I did was remove door and window handles, then the door panel and then the door latch itself. Then carefully opened up the latch mechanism and installed a new spring. I then reassembled the latch. It's a tedious process. I know there are other methods such as literally twisting the square rod that the handle fits onto. Drake has new springs.Read all the following and put an ad in Wanted section.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...archid=9740820
Check Ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ch&_sacat=6000

This is very good advice. I would add that when you have the door panel removed, replace the spring in the remote (by the inside door handle) as well.

woodiewagon46 · 12-11-2017, 09:02 PM

Exactly, replace the springs and do it right. Bending the shaft will not correct the problem, it just hides it.

deuce_roadster · 12-11-2017, 10:36 PM

Heating the shaft and twisting it was probably a tried and true "fix" for the used car dealers back in the day!

12-11-2017, 01:01 PM	#1
Chucks32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southampton, New York Posts: 121	1940 coupe sagging door handles what do I do to fix my sagging door handles on my 40 coupe? a lot of play in them.

12-11-2017, 01:07 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,943	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles What I did was remove door and window handles, then the door panel and then the door latch itself. Then carefully opened up the latch mechanism and installed a new spring. I then reassembled the latch. It's a tedious process. I know there are other methods such as literally twisting the square rod that the handle fits onto. Drake has new springs.Read all the following and put an ad in Wanted section. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/searc...archid=9740820 Check Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ch&_sacat=6000 Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-11-2017 at 01:18 PM.

12-11-2017, 01:31 PM	#3
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles A "field expedient" fix is to place a rubber hose washer between handle and the door.

12-11-2017, 03:11 PM	#4
Darrell S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everett WA Posts: 346	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles I just went through this on the 48. I replaced both springs in the drivers door latch, still have the passenger door to do. The handle was sagging down over half way, now it is up where it should be. There is a very small amount of slack or play due to the latch wear over the years. Others on this site didn't recommend twisting the shaft.

12-11-2017, 07:06 PM	#6
fortyfords Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: faucett, mo Posts: 419	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the spring was good, the latch really makes a sharp snapping noise when shutting the door. I always took the latch apart and welded up all the wear spots and usually the square hole where the handle shaft passed through the latch; I would weld the hole square again to eliminate the drooping handle.

12-11-2017, 09:02 PM	#8
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,555	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles Exactly, replace the springs and do it right. Bending the shaft will not correct the problem, it just hides it.

12-11-2017, 10:36 PM	#9
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: 1940 coupe sagging door handles Heating the shaft and twisting it was probably a tried and true "fix" for the used car dealers back in the day!