cuda door handle lock rod retainer

[culp71]

looking for the correct retainers for both ends of the lock rod for a 71 cuda. also the original rods have a grove ground in the end to "retain" it in the insert on the door latch end, the new "repro" rods do not have this grove, does on have to grind them or does someone offer a insert that makes this grove not needed.
where can someone find these parts?

[jason340]

The repo retainers will not fit the original rods. I tried that. I do not know who makes the ones with the grove in the ends. My repos were smooth.

[culp71]

so what did you use to retain these smooth rods on each end?

[burdar]

Internal door clips/retainers were used for years and years.  You should be able to find then in a lot of older Mopars in the junk yard.  I'm sure they used the same stuff well into the 80's.  I junked a few cars from the late 70's to early 80's.  I kick myself for not stripping them further before junking them.  They would have been great donors for little stuff like this.

[Katfish]

Not sure about correct, but i found all clips that worked at Advanced Auto.
Look for Help packages, they have a whole assortment of generic clips.
Had to buy 2 to get enough of the right style.
They usually have 10 or more in the pack but cover GM, Ford whatever

[culp71]

okay what style ended up working?
was this for both ends? or do the top connect by actually just have the rod itself through the lock cylinder arm tab?

[burdar]

Third one down is the style Mopar used for internal door rods.  The last one is the style of clip they used for carb and kickdown linkages.

[culp71]

doesn't seem to be the correct for the shorter lock rod that goes from the door latch assembly up to the door handle lock.
I have a handful of these I tried and none will work.
wont fit because rod is bent too close to end to allow any of these to snap over the side...additionally the end that goes up to the arm off of the lock cylinder in the door handle has no clearance for similar type clips.

this is where it needs to connect: see pic
the upper rod end is bent so that any side style clip will not work, perhaps the rod itself go into the arm on the door handle cylinder lock?

[culp71]

ok so, what I have figured out is the original rod hooks into the arm off of the door handle lock cylinder arm, with no clip as the rod is bent to fit into the arm. the original lower end of the rod has a tapper and has a grove about 1/8 inch from the end, this pushes into a little retainer that is flared when installed into lower connection on door latch assembly and has a lip on the inside which clips into place when rod is pressed in.... the problem is cant find any original style new or used clips of this style. and all repro rods sold are solid with no grove. so far all "correct clips" for this style I have found are too large diameter wise where it attaches around the rod or too long where it cant clip onto rod as the rod is bent very close to the end.

looks like a jerry-rig trip to napa may be needed.
what have other people done to connect these rods?

[burdar]

Have you tried contacting any of the people who restore latches?  If they have a source for those clips, they might sell them to you.  Again, you can go search the salvage yard for clips also.

[culp71]

I have but no one seems to want to part with these small inserts only. may have to purchase complete latch assemblies and carefully remove these inserts then try to resell the latch assembly minus the insert.

[culp71]

YAHTZEE!!!

I purchased all item listed above, a long with  another 30 dollars of other various rod clips, and none would work, then I came across these on ebay, purchased, they work perfectly!!
For all of those out their looking for these to connect the lock rod from the door handle lock cylinder to the door latch.
they are not grooved and will not work with the original rods, but they fit all the repro lock rods everyone sells!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/H1232RX-Auto-Body-Doctor-2-Piece-1-8-Door-Lock-Rod-Clip-/302188424820?hash=item465bd56e74:g:bjEAAOSw2xRYbsAl

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Door-Lock-Rod-Clip-Chry-Neon-Cirrus-Stratus-Jeep-95-Up-Left-Side-Size-1-8-Q-/262909770132?hash=item3d36a4b994:g:ZCEAAOSw4CFY1nLX