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An ex-friend accidentally pulled the right front door handle off when opening the door of my 41 160 convertible sedan. I can't figure out how to re-install it so that it stays there. Don't know if it is broken or if there's just a trick to it. Any ideas out there???

Edmond

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G'day Edmond,
to Packardinfo and OUCH! I bet that hurt the '41, sorry can't help but there's sure to be other Packard people who can.
And for including your '41 in the Owner Registry, it looks very nice.

All I can suggest is the obvious, open the door, pull off the inner door panel, and remove the latch for examination. Whatever broke should be apparent at that point.

No need to pull off the panel. The screw that hold it on fell off and may be striped. Open the other door and check it out. One screw is all there is.
Greg

I don't know your model, but if you are talking about an inside door handle that moves up or down, then there ought to be a set screw as suggested, or a retaining clip. If it's just a retaining clip, you get a new clip, put it on the handle first, and then just push the handle back on.

The clip will look like an almost complete wire ring, except for on both sides, there will be a bend. The bends on the sides of the clip fit into slots on each side of the rear shaft area of the handle. The clip should "snap" around the shaft of the handle, and you should see the bends pop into the slots. It is the bends in the clip going into the slots that keeps you from being able to just pull the handle off. The shaft of the handle goes over a "toothed" shaft in the door. There is a groove near the end of the toothed shaft that, once you push the handle (with the clip on) over it, it snaps on, and you can't pull it back off since the clip goes over the toothed shaft and lodges into the groove.

Be sure before putting the handle on that it will be in the same position as the driver's side, as you want both handles to face the same direction when they are in place and at rest.

A set screw would work similarly, except that you would put the screw in just enough to hold it in the threads of the handle first. Then, put the handle on, being sure it faces the right direction. Then, tighten the set screw (not too tight).

In both cases, there should be no need to remove the door panel.

I think he is referring to the outside door handle.

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G'day Greg,

I know it's but it's now the New Year here in Oz so you can be the first one I'll "harass" in 2009. Could you please enter your Black '41 120 Convertible in the Owner Registry, together with a pic (Tessa included would be great), any known history and how you acquired it?

Appreciate your comments, guys. BigKev is right...I should have made it clear that it was the outside door handle.

The set screw was in place, although it is close to being stripped, as Greg suggests. It was in there securely enough to hold, but it seems like there is nothing on the shaft for the set screw to hold against and prevent the assembly from coming out. Maybe there was some sort of flange or raised area on the original shaft that is no longer there. I took the attached photo of it, and it does look like something has broken off. Take a look...what do you think?

Ed

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Handle was held onto the base by crimps on the shaft. SO replace the base and drill a small hole with enough space for a washer between the base and the hole. Put it all together with a rolled pin or a cotterpin and your good to go.
Greg

Excellent...that's what I'll do. Thanks, Greg!

Ed