72 Door Panel Removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wugunguy · 04-16-2007, 01:56 AM

This is probably a dumb

question, but how do you get the interior door handles and window cranks off so you can remove the door panels?

thanks

Aarons72s · 04-16-2007, 02:14 AM

Go to the parts store and get a door handle clip removal tool. It looks like a flat piece of metal with a u shape in it. You slide the tool behind the handles to disengage the clip. Hope this helps.

Here is a drawing of the tool and how to use it.

*72CSTC5* · 04-16-2007, 02:15 AM

There is a special tool that you can buy at just about any autoparts store that pushes a c-clip that is behind the window crank and door handle. Remove the two phillips screws out of the armrest and then the panels pulls off. It has door panel clips holding it in place.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 04-16-2007, 03:57 AM

^what they said^ just try not to shoot the clip across the yard or garage or across whereever you may be working on it

brak · 04-16-2007, 06:31 AM

I have the tool and always found it cumbersome. a month or two ago sombody on here mentioned using a shop rag, and i've become a believer...

Press your panel in a little bit, instert the rag between the handle and the door panel, pull it around the handle, and the clip will pull right off.

After the first one, it makes perfect sense and you will have the other three removed in a matter of minutes.

**jerry moss** · 04-16-2007, 10:36 AM

brak,
never thought of that one before, have to give it a shot. thanks

67ChevyRedneck · 04-16-2007, 10:59 AM

Also, you don't have to purchase the tool. Roll the window down, push the panel in a little and you should be able to see "down into" the area where the clip is. (The reason you put the window down is so you don't hit your head on the glass

) You can then use a skinny screw driver that's perpendicular to the door panel to push the clip off. I've done this many times

Bus Ted Knuckle · 04-16-2007, 11:45 AM

yeah, you could go buy a tool, or you could get the stoutest wire coat hanger in your closet, cut out about an 8" piece, and make yourself a tool. push it behind the handle, rotate it to hook the clip and pull it off. The clip will stay with the handle, and your handles will come off.

hootlube · 04-16-2007, 12:02 PM

And to reattach, put the clips back into the slot in the handle, they snap right back onto the door.

wugunguy · 04-16-2007, 01:48 PM

Sweet, thanks for the help everyone.

04-16-2007, 01:56 AM	#1
wugunguy 70 C/10-Work in progress Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 601	72 Door Panel Removal This is probably a dumb question, but how do you get the interior door handles and window cranks off so you can remove the door panels? thanks __________________ In the garage 1999 Dodge Dakota Sport-Daily Driver 1972 Chevy K/5 CST AC/PS/PB/4x4/Tow Hooks/Tilt 1970 Chevy C/10-Current project

04-16-2007, 02:14 AM	#2
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,669	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal Go to the parts store and get a door handle clip removal tool. It looks like a flat piece of metal with a u shape in it. You slide the tool behind the handles to disengage the clip. Hope this helps. Here is a drawing of the tool and how to use it. Attached Images Last edited by Aarons72s; 04-16-2007 at 02:18 AM.

04-16-2007, 02:15 AM	#3
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,522	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal There is a special tool that you can buy at just about any autoparts store that pushes a c-clip that is behind the window crank and door handle. Remove the two phillips screws out of the armrest and then the panels pulls off. It has door panel clips holding it in place.

04-16-2007, 03:57 AM	#4
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal ^what they said^ just try not to shoot the clip across the yard or garage or across whereever you may be working on it __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

04-16-2007, 06:31 AM	#5
brak Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 1,381	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal I have the tool and always found it cumbersome. a month or two ago sombody on here mentioned using a shop rag, and i've become a believer... Press your panel in a little bit, instert the rag between the handle and the door panel, pull it around the handle, and the clip will pull right off. After the first one, it makes perfect sense and you will have the other three removed in a matter of minutes. __________________ 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill

04-16-2007, 10:36 AM	#6
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,936	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal brak, never thought of that one before, have to give it a shot. thanks __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

04-16-2007, 10:59 AM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal Also, you don't have to purchase the tool. Roll the window down, push the panel in a little and you should be able to see "down into" the area where the clip is. (The reason you put the window down is so you don't hit your head on the glass ) You can then use a skinny screw driver that's perpendicular to the door panel to push the clip off. I've done this many times __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

04-16-2007, 11:45 AM	#8
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal yeah, you could go buy a tool, or you could get the stoutest wire coat hanger in your closet, cut out about an 8" piece, and make yourself a tool. push it behind the handle, rotate it to hook the clip and pull it off. The clip will stay with the handle, and your handles will come off. Attached Images __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

04-16-2007, 12:02 PM	#9
hootlube Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: muskogee, ok Posts: 32	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal And to reattach, put the clips back into the slot in the handle, they snap right back onto the door.

04-16-2007, 01:48 PM	#10
wugunguy 70 C/10-Work in progress Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 601	Re: 72 Door Panel Removal Sweet, thanks for the help everyone. __________________ In the garage 1999 Dodge Dakota Sport-Daily Driver 1972 Chevy K/5 CST AC/PS/PB/4x4/Tow Hooks/Tilt 1970 Chevy C/10-Current project



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