VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Door handle on my 38 coupe question

My right side door handle works fine and is level but when you open the door the ring behind the handle against the door pulls out some and has to be pushed back in. It just recently started this..... how can I fix this problem? Also the handle seems a but lose as in it will wiggle side to side or up and down a tiny bit now as well. Any help is appreciated.

Replacement "rings" are available (I can't think of the correct name of them). They are not expensive and work well. I replaced them on my '37 years ago and they still work and look great. I think they will keep the handle from being loose like you described.

How do you change them and how hard are they to change?

Thanks!

Those are crimped in place with a special tool you can rent or buy from Chevs of the 40s. To get at them, you have to remove the door handle. If you open the door and turn the handle you can see the pin that screws into the handle at the door edge and holds it in place. Remove the pin and the handle slides out. You may be able to re-crimp the existing escutcheons but the rubber on the inside may have dried out.

Brian

If I remove the one screw in the hole the handle will pull out? If I order new ones do they just push in then slide the handle back in and tighten the screw down?
Thanks!

The item you refer to is called a ferrule. The tool referred to works but not well. It doesn't mushroom the inside of the ferrule as it was done at the factory. It curls strips of the ferrule against the inside of the panel to hold the ferrule in place. You'll need to do that in several places around the circumference. I've read that putting an O ring on the inside of the ferrule then using the specialty tool helps hold it more solidly. As for removing the handle I believe it's held in place by a small screw that you access on the side of the door frame. It should just slide out once the screw is removed. If I'm wrong on that someone will correct me.

Brian and Tiny are correct on how to remove the door handles. I did not have the tool for installing the "ferrules" (thanks Tiny) but I can't remember how I got them crimped in. I don't think it was a big problem.

I've read postings by folks who say they used a lug nut and bolt to mushroom the ferrule. They stick the bolt through the ferrule from the outside then put the lug nut on the inside (taper side of the nut toward the outside) then tighten the nut. Of course you have to pull the trim panel off of the door to access the back of the ferrule but I can see how that would hold the ferrule MUCH more securely than the tool sold by the vendors.

Yes, remove the screw and the handle pulls out. Tiny is correct, I had to crimp each "ferrule" (thanks Tiny) a couple of times to end with a tight seal on the ferrule. You can adjust the depth of the crimp on the tool, start deep and make it more shallow as you crimp. That way you don't damage the ferrule with a short crimp. the tool and ferrule can be seen here .

Brian

Thanks y'all for all the help.