The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Door Latch Spring

I just finished welding on my new outside door handles to make the handle shaft longer so my doors will lock. The new reproduction door handle shafts are to short (about 3/8"). Installed the handles and now they droop. Does anyone have any comments on how hard it is to replace the door latch spring to eliminate drooping door handles. I noticed in my manual that the spring is compressed on both sides to hold it in place. Any problem grinding off the pressed metal holding the spring and replacing. Also, does this spring need to be wrapped any amount of times for tension. Hate to pay $40.00 for a replacement latch because some of this repro stuff is not too good. :confused:

I can tell you first hand, the repo latches are junk.

I agree, they are junk. I had purchased one from Chevy Duty and I put it out on eBay and sold it. I am looking a an original if anyone out there has a good working one with strong springs.