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So I'm perusing about on ebay and see some door handles. It dawned on me that I see this handle attached to this square piece of metal that obviously goes thru some mechanism that opens the door.

But, what holds the door handle on?

Regards,
Rich

Depends on year. Some are held by screws from either the outside thru the escutcheon or hidden coming from inside the door. Others like the 51-6 have a groove in the handle casting. A metal piece with a keyhole like arrangement slides in from the inner door side and captures the handle.

On my 23rd Series there are 2 flat head screws. One is visible thru the chrome bezel and the other is behind the lip of the door. Both are easy to get to, but you need some special phillips tools to do it right. If the screws are stuck a regular screwdriver will not do the job. A screwdriver cannot sit square on the screw in the bezel because the door handle is in the way.

I used Kroil penetrating oil and a big Phillips bit in a 1/4" drive wrench handle. Press hard on the wrench to keep the bit stuck in the slot.

Sorry I did not answer your question completely. Once the screws are removed the door handle and bezel falls off the car. The handle is attached to the bezel with a splined pivot pin. The pin is pressed in. Use a punch to tap the pin out of the hole and the handle comes off the bezel. Again I used Kroil penetrating oil.

Also there is a rubber gasket on the car under the bezel. That protects the paint when the handle is attached to the car. You can buy new ones from Steele Rubber Products.

Hi Rick,
I have a 51 and a 53 Packard. If you have a 51 to 56 Packard then you have a keeper inside the door about 5 inches long. The original were made of steel that usually rusted and stuck itself permanently in place. Replacement keepers are available from the San Diego Packard club they run about @45.00 to $50.00 each, but don't rust. If you have the year car that is in the above range let me know and I'll go into a deeper description of exact location, and tips on removing them. Note left and right side are not interchangeable can't remember if back and front are either.
Hope this helps.

Steve........

It's a '41 110 Coupe, see this earlier post.

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They aren't.

Each door uses a slightly different style clip.

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Steve, thanks for the info pointing to where I can get new keepers. Mine have rusted so badly they're unusable . . . .

I have posted a photo of mine (it might be useful for others). I have parts from several cars so can't be sure if the ones I have posted are correct for my '51 Deluxe Club Sedan. (When I bought the car it was totally in pieces).

Would be helpful if anyone can give me an opinion on these.

I THINK I have the correct contact details for the San Diego club (via facility on this site) but have some concern that their website at Packards San Diego will not load ('Server Not Found' problem). So it would be helpful if you could confirm the contact details . . .

Thanks!

Possibly 1951 2465 Deluxe Club Sedan door handle retaining plates

The one on the bottom is from a rear door 1951-56. The top one is also 51-56 but can't tell for sure front or rear with so much missing. There are 4 different ones you will need if you have a 4 door.