Removing/replacing door handles... help!

[cudacharlie]

I'm trying to install fresh door handles on my Cuda, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to disengage the rod that connects the key-lock cylinder in the door handle to the lock mechanism below.  The other rod (the one that connects the door handle itself to the door latch) was easy enough to get out, but the lock rod is simply shaped in such a way as to prevent it releasing from the tab on the lock cylinder.

Do I:

1 - remove the lock cylinder from the door handle (via the 2 phillips screws) while it's still in the door?
2 - somehow bend the rod's end so that it can slip off the tab on the lock cylinder?
3 - disengage the rod at the other end, where it connects to the lock mechanism?
4 - use some other trick of geometry that I haven't thought of...

Thanks!

[Chryco Psycho]

#3 is your answer
 once the bottom is off you can disconnect it from the lock if you want or pull the handle with it still attached

[cudacharlie]

Chycho you are the man with the answers as usual!!!  Thanks loads.  Back to the garage!   

[cudacharlie]

Okaaaaaaayyyy...

So, this vertical rod that connects the lock cylinder to the lock mechanism at the latch:  What is attaching it to the arm on the latch (lower) end?  It enters a plastic bushing mounted on the arm of the lock mechanism; the rod needs to be pulled towards the front of the car by about 1/2inch to release it from the lock arm, but something is holding it in there, and I can't get to the back side of it without removing the latch mechanism from the door. 

I sure don't want to just yank on it and destroy a 30yr old plastic bushing.  It's different to the plastic rod-lock/bushings as used to connect the latch release arm to the door handle.  How to make it let go?  Just yank?

Grrr.

[FY1 RT SE]

Okaaaaaaayyyy...

So, this vertical rod that connects the lock cylinder to the lock mechanism at the latch:  What is attaching it to the arm on the latch (lower) end?  It enters a plastic bushing mounted on the arm of the lock mechanism; the rod needs to be pulled towards the front of the car by about 1/2inch to release it from the lock arm, but something is holding it in there, and I can't get to the back side of it without removing the latch mechanism from the door. 

I sure don't want to just yank on it and destroy a 30yr old plastic bushing.  It's different to the plastic rod-lock/bushings as used to connect the latch release arm to the door handle.  How to make it let go?  Just yank?

Grrr.

New bushings are available.

[cudacharlie]

That's the piece.  So, what, just yank the lock rod out of the plastic bushing on the latch end?  Will it absolutely destroy the bushing, or can it possibly be reused?

How did you get those latches in the pic out with the lock rods still attached?  It looks like you somehow managed to disengage the lock rod at the lock cylinder end, like I was originally trying to do, as opposed to disengage it from the plastic bushing on the latch end, as Crycho suggested.

Hmmm.

Also, are there supposed to be two or three of the short (2") cat whisker fuzzy window guides inside the top of the door?  There appears to be an unused mounting hole on my door...  didn't know if I was missing that third window guide.

learning....

[AllGreen70RT]

If you look at the picture you can see that the plastic bushing also wraps around the rod. You need to push on the bushing where it wraps around the rod, to release it from the rod. The rod will then just slide out of the mechanism. I just took mine apart again last week.

[cudacharlie]

Got it!  Not quite sure how, but I got it.  Thanks you guys!  New door handles are in! 

BTW: the repro cuda door handles from Josh's Muscle Car Parts, while totally awesome pieces, differ from the original in one way:

The bumper that the door-handle-lifter contacts when it's at rest is a stick-on piece on the repro; on the original it's a round bumper that pushes thru a hole in the handle backing.  Minor, but noticeable.

[Total BS]

Charlie,

 Can you post a picture of the finished installation. I would love to see how they look.

[miketyler]

Are you satisfied with the look and operation? I would be interested to see as well

[dlrogers]

Hey there
just in case you're not sure about door handle repairs and are spending heaps for replacements, the posts can be welded back on - I've just got one of my ex students to do my drivers side handle - didn't cost a bean either. I know they can be quite expensive to replace and guys say you can't weld them...but you can
Cheers
David

[miketyler]

also installtion and removal is a snap if you remove the rubber seal assembly at the top of the door. It gives you great access there!