The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors Inside door handles

I have one new and one old inside door latch controls (the part the handle attaches to) and used inside door handles.

I can not seem to get the handles to engage the control far enough to get the set screw to the flat area of the control shaft.

Is there a trick to getting the handles to fully engage the shaft? I have tried pushing, wiggling, tapping with a rubber mallet but nothing seems to work.

I want to get the handles installed to ease opening the doors for now but they will need to be removed and reinstalled after the rwst of the door assembly process down the road.

If you are sure that the small set screws are not in the way, then I can't recommend anything right off hand. Hopefully someone will chime in with an idea.

What do the set screw you have look like .maybe someone substituted an alternate .The set screws I have seen on the handles I have are either a two piece one with a the smaller end then a lock screw that goes in on top to stop it from loosening or the newer one piece either way the end we’re it hits the flat area is smaller than the end of the screw so guessing the screw is about 1/4 and the end flat is about 1/8.

I have run into a problem with where the set screw is located on the new handles. They do not match up with the location of the annular groove on the original stem. I had to use a grinder on the stem so that the set screw would extend into the annular groove instead of just engaging the straight part of the stem.

New handles and new stems should match. Old with old etc...
A new handle will bottom out on an old stem.

Thank you all for your inputs.

I do not have any new handles, just a variety of old ones. I do have one new and one old shaft that appear the same (dirver's side was replaced as original was broken off).

I think the set screws are a single piece but I have not removed them to confirm if there are actually 2, one to engage the shaft and one to lock the first in place. Looking into the handles the screws appear to be recessed enough to clear the shaft but I will totally remove whatever is there to confirm that is not the problem and report back.

I have confirmed that the handles I have have a single retaining screw. The screws have a tip beyond the thread that I believe should engage the groove in the shaft but I can not get the handles anywhere close to that far engaged on the shaft.

The splines inside the handles are not great but it seems like they should engage a lot further than they are.

Is that a new latch mechanism and an old handle? I think I said those don`t match.

Can you tell how deep into the handle hole the shaft extends? Maybe compare measurement of the handle hole depth to the exposed shaft length. If the splines are fully engaged but the handle won't slide all the way down to allow the set screw to engage the slot on the shaft, I would agree with 52Carl that his solution of shortening the shaft end may be in order.

The hole in the handles extends approx. 3/4" which aligns with the amount of shaft I expect the handle would engage and would align the set/locking screw with the groove. The old handle on the old shaft engages a little more than the old handle on the new shaft but not enough to align the set/lock screw with the flat area of the shaft. I suspect the old shaft is worn smaller and allows the handle to go on a little more before the interference problem prevents further installation.

The handles I am trying to use were purchased used, the handles that were on the truck when purchased had been butchered to install a bolt into the end of the shaft to retain the handle. Is it possible that these handles are from a different vintage/vehcile type that would have had a different spline?

I'm not anxious to purchased new handles just to confirm if they fit but I may end up going that route.

It's very possible your handles are the wrong ones if they won't settle down on those shafts. I may have some extra used handles that you could have??? Let me look through my stuff and I'll get back to you.

Note: We can chat further via PM if I find them to stay within the forums guidelines.

Looks like you have the wrong door control. https://classicparts.com/1947-54-do...nHXWuR9boZLlTwxbvu__DJi7k0xoCZkUQAvD_BwE
Same thru 1947-54. requires new handle

Moving the thread to the Doors subforum where it'll be more on topic.

gDads51, I look forward to your PM.

I am also thinking I have the wrong handles but if I can't source the correct ones I will order another new control and 2 new handles.

Crusier - Sorry no PM coming as what I thought was extra latch handles was my replacement window crank handles.

That said, I took some pics of the existing handle on my '51. They are original from what I know and are definitely different than your pictured one. My vote is yours are the wrong handles. Before you go order brand new handles though, maybe post an ad in the Truck Parts Wanted forum. I'm betting someone probably has some nice used ones they would offer up.

Also wanted to mention that I recall you said in your Project Journal that you installed Altman latches on your doors. I don't think your above pictured drivers door latch mechanism needs replacing, but don't know enough not being able to see the entire door and latch setup.

Gdads51, thank you for the pictures and follow up regarding your parts supply.

I have installed Altman latches. The door release mechanism shown in the pictures above is new (the shaft on the old one was broken off) connecting to the flat link that goes back to the latch mechanism.

Given other's advice that old needs old and new needs new I think I am going to order new as I needed one new control regardless.

I forgot you have altman latches. I keep mine original as possible to avoid that and live with the short comings.