Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan

Posted by Joe Santana On 2018/7/11 23:56:16
DROOPY DOOR HANDLES:
It would be nice to have a little clarity on how to correct this problem.

1. Replace the latch springs, available from John Ulrich. 2 different springs /latch

2a. Rebuild the latch shaft-holding mechanism, as we did here:https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=5878&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=710

2b. If you don't rebuild the latches as in 2a, then you can heat and twist the handle shaft to compensate for the sloppy/worn shaft holder.
UNLESS you have a convertible whose shafts, I discovered this morning, are too short to twist.

The above methods will cure the problem. I did these, so why did the handles still droop?

ANSWER: I had to separate the escutcheon from the handle in order to have them rechromed. Then they had to be put back together. Packard had a press that dug in and "smooshed" the shaft up tight against the escutcheon. We didn't have one of those.
Way back on Post #87https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=5878&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=80
shows the method we used to put them back together. We drilled a hole in the shaft and inserted a pin against washers/shims to hold them tight.

Getting these 2 pieces to fit really tight is critical. So after I removed my handles to have them heated/twisted and discovered that wasn't possible because they are so short, I shoved one more U-shaped shim behind each pin with an upholstery hammer and then the vice. They are very tight now.

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