Should this just slide out
 

Pulling the hatch handle off. Have all the screws, c-clip and hardware removed. Soaked it down with BP Blast. Should the handle and shaft slide out of the rod holder and spring?

Re: Should this just slide out
 

yep but I had 2 that I just had to give up and cut the shaft with a cutoff wheel on a dremel. I even made a puller one time and it ended up messing the plate up that held the rods.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I thought the whole unit would come out of the hatch. Isn't there a couple of roll pins you can punch out to disassemble the handle?

Re: Should this just slide out
 

See link below but you still need to remove the rod mechanism before it will come apart.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509656

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I just fought 2 of these that were acting the same way. In the end what worked was heat. The only problem is that 40 year old fiberglass doesn't like open flames. Find something to protect the fiberglass and use a torch with a small controlled flame, and you will eventually work it out of there.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

Just be careful not to damage the spring with the torch

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I'm currently fighting this right now. Any new tips or tricks? I have one soaking in some WD-40 right now.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I have 2 of these to do also, hope I have better luck. Might try a arc welder. Ground the handle and stick the rod on the shaft and watch it glow. After it cools the rust might be loosened or the shaft might shrink??

Re: Should this just slide out
 

Sub'd...

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I have gotten a few free with a C clamp put one end on the shaft and the other on the tab/ear that has the hole for the lock rod. You are essentially pressing it out

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I have found (After destroying several) that the only way to get those rusted ones apart is heat and penetrating oil (PB blaster, Liquid Wrench, Acetone/ATF etc),
I take a soup can and cut it down to fit in the recess, unwind the spring off the unit (heat will destroy it too), put the soup can in and behind the handle (To protect the fiberglass). Liberally soak the shaft with penetrating oil, use a small torch to heat it up. apply more penetrating oil.. Walk away and let it cool down. Apply more oil.. heat again, add more oil then clamp a small puller and add some tension, heat again.. more oil, more tension... ADD lots of patience!!.. keep repeating those steps and eventually they do come off..

Re: Should this just slide out
 

How do you "unwind" the spring? I have one mechanism with a broken spring. I haven't been able to find a replacement spring for that one yet.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

That's what I was wondering can't be easy.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

Lol I've been researching making my own spring.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

Please let me know. I've been looking at spring makers online too. I may have found a custom spring maker that can make these types of "torsion" springs. Does it just slide out when you disassemble the hatch assembly? They need an actual spring to copy.

Re: Should this just slide out
 

I have never looked for the springs but one place you might search is garage door lock places. That's what the lock design stuff comes from or camper shell tops. I say garage door because I installed them in summers while in college. The locking mech had a spring on them that was similar to kick the lock back when you turned the key. Just a thought