Hey guys, curious if anyone is aware of an online reference explaining how to repair the droopy door handle issue on the rear barn door? Is it the same process as the side door mechanisms that droop as well?
Side note, is it ridiculous to wonder if anyone has ever seen a push button rear barn door conversion to match the side doors on the 52-55.1 trucks?
One cure for droopy door handles is to remove handle, clamp shaft in vise, heat and twist shaft so after the droop is figured in it's level and horizontal. Care must be taken during the twisting to not also bend the shaft. Once done it can never droop again since it is at the bottom of its travel when it is level. This 52 had the handle shaft twisted to where it was slightly above horizontal at rest which was easily corrected. This fix is PERMANENT.
Yes, you need to be creative. Mine was droopy and also touched the door with the end of the handle. After trying other methods, I ground almost 1/4 inch off the end.
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I have a 54 panel withe the same issue. Bought a spring that was supposed to help but nope. Now I’ve decided to try to find a new latch/handle mechanism, any idea where I might find something like that? I suppose if you did you’d have done the same yourself. I’m stumped as to how to fix it.
Also I found helpful in rebuilding the rear Barn Door handle, using the aftermarket side Door handle. Its not that hard to do. With little grinding and cutting. I believe a combination of the droop spring on the latch and the door handle spring make difference .