Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Question. On my 1950 Packard, I want to take the panels off so that I can re-upholster them. How do I get the door handle and the window handle off? I also want to replace some of the plastic rings in behind the handle. Any help appreciated.
JE

Push the ring and plastic back against a spring positioned behind the panel around each shaft. It may be a hard push. Once the panel moves in approx 1/2" you will see a round pin on the side of the handles which holds them on the shafts. Push the pin out with a piece of stiff coat hanger wire or a long 1/8" diameter or less rod used as a driver. It shouldn't take much but you will have to keep the round bezels pushed back so the pins can come out. Once the pins are out the handles should just pull off but if the pot metal has swelled or oxidized then there could be some binding.

Once the garnish molding is off, the rest of the panel is held around the edges by wire clips inserted in holes in the door. The old fiber board panel backing may be brittle so use a thin but fairly stiff tool with a flat wide surface and try to get as close to the clips as possible. Pry them out one at a time going gently around the panel. There may be screws holding the arm rest on some models. On other models, once the wire clips are released the panel has to lift up and then out away from a retainer located behind the armrest.

Yesterday's Radioyesterdaysradio.com has new reproduction plastic pieces in the various colors and probably Kanter too but you will have to reuse your old metal outer rings or find better if yours are bad.

Howard: Thank you for the information. This will help a lot.