The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Rear Barn Door Handle

I have read about this issue many times, but I have this question.
My original handle works fine, just pitted. I have purchased a new side handle and it is the same size as the rear. My question...Can just the handle be replaced. There is a pin that seems to hold the shaft on. If I remove this pin what will happen?

I forgot to add that the door is on the back of a 1950 Panel Delivery.

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POST#2

You will have to disassemble both handles. I don't have one in front of me now, so I will have to do this from memory. At the bottom of the shaft there is a spring and retainer. This is removed by removing the pin that holds them on the shaft. Once removed, you will separate the pieces, setting them aside to be reused later. The new handle shaft will be longer and will have to be shortened and a hole drilled to accept the pin. The bezel and shaft housing from the barn door handle should be cleaned up for reuse. Assemble the new door handle with the barn door piece (less the handle) and install on door.

Somewhere, I think I have seen pictures from Achipmunk, hopefully he will check in and elaborate on what he did to accomplish this task.

Thanks for the reply...So I can not attach the new handle to the old shaft?
When you say there is a spring and retainer at the bottom of the shaft...to clear up are you saying that the bottom of the shaft is in the door or at the handle? I am trying to cover all my bases before I remove the old handle from the door.
As I have read all I need to do is remove the screw in the handle and it will come out (May need coaxing)

I do not think you can remove the shaft from the handle. The handle is inserted in a housing, that is what I am referring to. As the shafts extends through the housing, there will be a retainer and spring. At the end of the shaft, there will be a pin that will allow you to remove the retainer and spring. But without the handle in front of me, I can't be sure.

I did the handle last winter and discovered just in time that the side door handle is longer than the back door handle. As i was using a new side door handle for a replacement. The side door handle installed on the rear door will scratch or dig in to your paint. I had to shim the handle out away from the body witch was no big deal only another panel owner would ever notice. Looks to me that at the factory they took a side door handle and ground about 1/4" off the end and used it as a rear door handle.Anybody know the rights of it.

Send me a PM if you would like photos.

A tech tip is written but Peggy does not have it yet.

The side door handles use a different bezel and the stem is 3/8" longer than the rear handle. I have modified several of them. I bought a new handle for the side and cut 3/8" off the stem.

Once you take the roll pin out of the side door handlea and take the retaining spring and bezel off... take it to the bench grinder and grind the FLAT sides of it back 3/8" or a little more won't hurt. Once you cut it off measure back 1 1/4" and drill a 3/32" hole. Replace the correct bezel and springs and use a 3/32" roll pin (split pin) that is 5/8" long.

Yes, MOST rear door handles will drag the door when you pull down on it. To avoid this and "put it to rest" I used my air cut off tool and cut 1/4" off the back side (end) of the handle. I wrapped a piece of tape around it thinking that if the edge was a little rough I'd just paint it with chrome spray paint as its not noticeable. It turned out that if you get a good smooth start and give the cutting wheel time to cut it will not do damage to the chrome edge that is left. Then I used the Chrome spray paint to spray the very end where I cut it. It looks nice and you can't see it anyway. Its comfort to know I don't have to worry about the door handle scrapping/scratching the paint.

I wrote a tech tip and have not got around to submitting it. I had sent it to Bowtietim to read over and maybe help him in some way. I'm glad I did. Just today he sent me a copy where he had put the pictures with my instructions and will send to Peggy. If he reads this he may post a link to what he has? Thanks for doing what you did Tim.

Any specific questins you can email me and put in the subject line "rear door handle".

Hope this helps someone.

Oh, I have not found anyone that manufacturers a new rear door bezel. I do have some extra's but they all need re-chromed.


EDIT: Don, I sent you an Email with the info and pictures. Hope it helps.

I just sent it to Peggy and hopefully she can add it to the tech tips section.I don't have my version linked to any web address.

I think you will be happy with Alvin's instructions.


Tim

So the ushaped piece of metal with two square hole is rounded out and my square peg slips. Do I have to fab one?

Thanks to Achipmunk and to all who replied with this info. The information you emailed was excellent.
Hope the tech bulletin makes it...sure does clear up a few things. Pictures are worth 1000s of words. It will be a month or so before I do this but I will post my results.
Seems nothing I do will these old vehicles goes easy.

Alvin,

The following information is not confirmed by a Master Parts Book: I have taken apart two rear door handles used on 47-55 panel body trucks (one from a 54 Suburban and one from a 48 Panel). The dimensions of the post on the door handles were different and required that the matching (and different) escutcheon/base be used.

Also, when installed on the rear door, neither handle touched the body.

Makes me wonder if the door lock mechanism and or stop is worn making the handle drop to far down and contacting the sheet metal.


Tim

Tim & Tim....my original handle just BARELY touched the paint. I think it was because I had to pull WAY down on it to get the latch to un-latch due to wear. Then of coarse the thickness of the paint was build up more along with the skim coats!!!

The new REPOP handle touched just a TAT more so I just cut it off not wanting to take any chances with it scratching later on.
Like Tim, I measure and have redid several and so far the only difference I've encountered was one stem was a TAT bit longer but caused no problem.

Bowtietim, thanks again for sending the tip to Peggy. If anyone has a problem understanding it I'd be happy to do what I can to clear it up..... or Tim.

DonA, good luck on your project.

Ha Mr Chipmunk, Now that you have spelled it out i remember it well,I also remember how installing the handle turned into 4 hrs instead of 1 hr.But ha if ya didn't love it ya wouldn't be at it.
Good Luck with it DonA.

Okey Dokey, Some time showed up and I used it to replace my rear door handle on my panel.
I owe a great debt to all who responded with a special nod to Achipmunk. After reading the tech info emailed to me, this job took just about an hour. The only hitch I had was that the spring seats from my old handle would not fit on the shaft of the new handle. So I just used the one that came with the handle. Both shaft appeared to be the same size to the eye but there was a small difference.
Achipmunk...do you know of a problem that will occur using the new spring and spring seats?
Thanks again to all. DonA

None that I can thing of DonA. Luckily for me I had no problem. Its mainly there to keep the bezel and handle in check.
Glad it worked out for you. Now, go have a hot dog and cold Pepsi... and be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!

I got an email from Peggy this evening.She did receive the tech tip I sent her that Alvin typed up and provided pictures of his process.It should make the tech tips section soon.




Tim