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rvsls

Door handles droop, 37, 120

Just can't stay away

Still learning about my new car! It is a 37, 120 coupe convertible. The door handles droop yet I can see no evidence of springs in the mechanisms, like are on a Ford product, to reposition the handles. Are there supposed to be return springs? If so what do they look like and where can I get them? Or, what repositions the handles if not springs?

Thanks in advance for all your expert advise,

Rod

Posted on: 2012/2/6 18:49

Tim Cole

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Home away from home

Dear rsvs:

Door handles usually droop due to wear in the mechanism.

You have two easy options:

a) build up the square on the handle and regrind it in non-drooping position

b) very carefully heat the shaft with a torch and give it a twist. Note: too much heat will melt the pot metal.

I won't go into the hard options like disassembling the mechanisms and building up the worn parts.

Hope this helps

Posted on: 2012/2/6 19:44

BigKev

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Webmaster

option 3....Contact David Flack for all your '37 door handle needs.

Posted on: 2012/2/7 11:18

-BigKev

1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog

rvsls

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Just can't stay away

Thanks for all the advise! First, the handle shafts are not loose or worn and seem to be tight in their respective square sockets. It appears that the sockets are not returning to their correct positions.

Secondly, who is David Flack and how do I contact him? I do not see his name anywhere in the listings.

Thanks,

Rod

Posted on: 2012/2/7 22:17

BigKev

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Webmaster

His username on here is Flackmaster. You can send him a PM or email him at flackmaster AT sbcglobal DOT net.

Posted on: 2012/2/7 22:28

-BigKev

1954 Packard Clipper Deluxe Touring Sedan -> Registry | Project Blog

1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe -> Registry | Project Blog

flackmaster

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Forum Ambassador

Actually there are two springs inside the door latch mechanism, both available. One is the traditional "snail spring" which is probably good, the other is known as a "clothspin spring" and is more likely the source of your problem. I'm pretty sure John Ulrich sells the clothspin spring for $15. I will endeavor to pull out a latch mechanism in a day or two and post a photo - it is a bit different from the closed car latches. DAF

Posted on: 2012/2/7 23:28

rvsls

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Just can't stay away

Thanks for your help David! I figured that there had to be some springs in there somewhere. I can not see them from looking down in the window channel from the top.

I await your pictures,

Rod

Posted on: 2012/2/8 11:47

rvsls

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Just can't stay away

After all the good responses, I did some more looking down into the door from the window slot. I found the snail springs and they seem to be doing their job. What I did notice is the slop seems to be in the connection between the handle and the square shaft that operates the mechanism. I would have thought that the shaft and handle would be one piece? How is the shaft attached to the handle?

Again, thanks for all the help and suggestions,

Rod

Posted on: 2012/2/9 11:22

flackmaster

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

Forum Ambassador

Conv. coupe door latches as pictured. Note the "clothes pin" spring towards the top (right), missing on left. Not that it is easy or fun to remove the latches, but once done, cleaned and new spring(s) as necessary, your handles/latches will operate much better. There is 70+ years of accumulated gunk keeping the mechanism from operating smoothly...

Attach file:

(100.73 KB)

Posted on: 2012/2/13 12:46

rvsls

Re: Door handles droop, 37, 120

#10

Just can't stay away

Thanks for the pictures! I am currently traveling so can not check out my car's latches. When I get home in mid March, I will do some more checking. I think my problems are two fold: 1- things are dirty and need cleaning and lubrication and 2- the shafts appear to be loose in the handles. I think I need to go through the whole mechanism.

Rod

Posted on: 2012/2/13 13:57

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