Removing door panels and handles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dubie · 07-29-2002, 01:56 PM

Are the handles for the door and window just a pull off, or are they held on with circlips or do you need the handle tool to loosen them off? The door panels are easy, just need to know how to get the handles off.

70c10 · 07-29-2002, 02:20 PM

Dubie,
They come off pretty easy. They have little spring clips behind them. I usually use a straight screwdriver to pop those off, but they do sell a little tool for doing this. Good luck!

Southpa · 07-29-2002, 02:57 PM

And don't be a fool like I was a long time ago when trying to put the handles back on. I tried to put the handle on first and then insert the clip in, lol. The clips go on the handle first and then the handle is just "snapped" on.

johnnyp · 07-29-2002, 04:59 PM

Here's a pic of what the horseshoe clip looks like. If you have the metal woodgrain panel insert, the clips are a real pain to remove with a screwdriver without scratching the panel. I'd spring for the removal tool - costs about $5.00 at any auto store.

mt Al · 07-29-2002, 07:11 PM

Agree with JohnnyP. I took mine off on the 'burban with a screwdriver and I've got the wood grain. BARELY got away without scratching them.

Also, I've had the spring clips lose their "spring" (K value for you engineers). I've just pinched them with some needle nose pliers before putting them back on the handle and they've held. I suppose its time to get a supply of springs though...

bigcarguy · 08-02-2002, 02:15 PM

A good handkerchief will work fine. Just work it side to side between the panel and the handle. I did it on my truck and my sister's car, no scratches.

**COBALT** · 08-02-2002, 04:58 PM

Yeah, I started out doing the rag trick myself. It only works if you know how the horse-shoe clip was put in, because the rag has to catch on both sides that are sticking out. Once both sides are catching in the rag then you just pull.

The special tool is cheap. I have one of those too, and you can get them anywhere.

JoetheMobster · 08-02-2002, 05:53 PM

I just use an old flathead screwdriver that has been bent to perfection for removing the clips! Over time I've managed to lose all the clips, so I got a package of them for CHEAP! Too bad one of the previous owners used a friggin crowbar to remove the handles, or at least it looks that way! One of the door handles sags downwards, and all the rubber bushings around the handles have been destroyed! Ah well, at least the doors and windows still work!

O'l Buck · 08-03-2002, 02:31 AM

and don't forget to insert the too of choice, be it a screwdriver, or the right tool, in beside the hadle part of the handle hard to explain something so simple i guess.....lost for the words.....um.....

ok, turn the window crank so it is pointing straight upwards, then slide the tool downwards, that should do it, dang, i never thought it would be so tought to explain how to remove a door handle.

07-29-2002, 01:56 PM	#1
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	Removing door panels and handles Are the handles for the door and window just a pull off, or are they held on with circlips or do you need the handle tool to loosen them off? The door panels are easy, just need to know how to get the handles off. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

07-29-2002, 02:20 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Dubie, They come off pretty easy. They have little spring clips behind them. I usually use a straight screwdriver to pop those off, but they do sell a little tool for doing this. Good luck! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

07-29-2002, 02:57 PM	#3
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	And don't be a fool like I was a long time ago when trying to put the handles back on. I tried to put the handle on first and then insert the clip in, lol. The clips go on the handle first and then the handle is just "snapped" on. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

07-29-2002, 04:59 PM	#4
johnnyp Keepin' It Stock Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Grand Island, Nebraska, USA Posts: 554	Here's a pic of what the horseshoe clip looks like. If you have the metal woodgrain panel insert, the clips are a real pain to remove with a screwdriver without scratching the panel. I'd spring for the removal tool - costs about $5.00 at any auto store. Attached Images __________________ 72 Sierra Grande - Maych Forget about "do it right the first time". Do it wrong the first time to learn how, then do it right the second time.

07-29-2002, 07:11 PM	#5
mt Al Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 243	Agree with JohnnyP. I took mine off on the 'burban with a screwdriver and I've got the wood grain. BARELY got away without scratching them. Also, I've had the spring clips lose their "spring" (K value for you engineers). I've just pinched them with some needle nose pliers before putting them back on the handle and they've held. I suppose its time to get a supply of springs though... __________________ '72 GMC 1/2T 4x4 1500 Super Custom pickup (current) past rides were: '70 Chev 2wd farm truck '71 GMC 2wd 1/2T 402 nice! '72 Chev 2wd 1/2T 396 '72 GMC 3/4T 4x4 2500 Super Custom suburban. Bozeman, Montana

08-02-2002, 02:15 PM	#6
bigcarguy Finally a Bulldawg Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 220	A good handkerchief will work fine. Just work it side to side between the panel and the handle. I did it on my truck and my sister's car, no scratches. __________________ Ah yes, the college life. School all morning, work all night, study when ya can. Uh...

08-02-2002, 04:58 PM	#7
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Yeah, I started out doing the rag trick myself. It only works if you know how the horse-shoe clip was put in, because the rag has to catch on both sides that are sticking out. Once both sides are catching in the rag then you just pull. The special tool is cheap. I have one of those too, and you can get them anywhere. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

08-02-2002, 05:53 PM	#8
JoetheMobster Listening since '86 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 1,799	I just use an old flathead screwdriver that has been bent to perfection for removing the clips! Over time I've managed to lose all the clips, so I got a package of them for CHEAP! Too bad one of the previous owners used a friggin crowbar to remove the handles, or at least it looks that way! One of the door handles sags downwards, and all the rubber bushings around the handles have been destroyed! Ah well, at least the doors and windows still work! __________________ 2007 Saturn Aura - hey it WAS a GM product

08-03-2002, 02:31 AM	#9
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	and don't forget to insert the too of choice, be it a screwdriver, or the right tool, in beside the hadle part of the handle hard to explain something so simple i guess.....lost for the words.....um..... ok, turn the window crank so it is pointing straight upwards, then slide the tool downwards, that should do it, dang, i never thought it would be so tought to explain how to remove a door handle. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

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