Re: exchange front/rear door handles?

Posted by HH56 On 2009/9/13 11:01:30

The 55-6 outside door handles, 461616, Rt and 461617, Lt are the same front and rear so should be possible to swap buttons as long as everything internal & different associated with them are also transferred. There are some differences in detail parts. Same holds true for 51-4 although handles themselves are different from 55-6.

Since you removed your extras from a parts car, you know the drill but a word of caution for those not having had the pleasure if these handles have not been off in some time.

The original retainer plates are hard tempered steel so have a tendency to rust and break very easily. Apply penetrating oil all around the internal area liberally coating anything they are contacting maybe once or twice allowing soak time before attempting removal. Try particularly hard to get in the slide slots top & bottom and behind retainers. Even that's not a guarantee but fortunately new ones are available. IIRC they are about $100 for NOS pairs and only slightly less than that for repros. The repros are of different material so not as prone to rust.