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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,338
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Frozen Door Handles ?
We have had below zero temperatures since last Friday, negative 17 ! Yesterday I tried to open the door on my C/20 but the button would not budge. Years ago I would have tried and probably broke something inside the door. Getting older I’ve learned to just walk away and give the situation a think before doing damage. Any suggestions on what is actually stuck ? Is it just the push button or the inner door parts ?
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: San Ramon,CA
Posts: 505
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Any lube that isn't graphite or teflon will harden at some temp, is there grease in the mechanism?
Maybe try a hair dryer or a desk lamp to gently warm it. All those little metal parts are going to be awful brittle and grumpy
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1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: San Ramon,CA
Posts: 505
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Daughter left a little water in her car yesterday, in Texas
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1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 |
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#4 |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,218
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Alcohol should melt it
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
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#5 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
From my experience it is usually moisture frozen around the small shaft that goes through the handle and pushes the latch. Green arrows point to areas that freeze together.
Spraying WD40 in can help as can warming the button with a propane torch. (But not both!) Torch on low just to warm not to hot. If it's too hot to touch its too hot. When the shaft gets rusty like in the 2nd photo they attract moisture.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#6 |
Roadtrip!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grand Rapids MN
Posts: 13,735
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
I just give them a smack with the palm of my hand. Sometimes you have to hit them kind of hard. Do it 6 months out of the year up here seems like...
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67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto |
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#7 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
I used to hit mine but not anymore. I learned (The hard way) about how weak the tabs that hold the button in place are. If the shaft is frozen the force of the hitting the button is transferred to the tabs. I've had to repair 2 handles on mine.
See links for more information on broken handles. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693760 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382093 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=770366
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 Last edited by HO455; 01-17-2024 at 05:47 PM. Reason: -4 grammer. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,338
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Thanks guys for reinforcing my theory that hitting it might break something internal. The truck is parked away from power and buried in snow again, been snowing off and on since Saturday. I think I will just hold off until it gets at least into the mid thirties before I try again….appreciate the input.
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,722
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
When I (rarely) get stuff frozen on the truck, I go in the house and get a 1.5 quart jug and fill it with warm water from the faucet and slowly pour it on the frozen item. Water is nothing that wouldn't get on the truck anyway, so it won't hurt anything. I most recently had to do that when my gas cap was frozen and I couldn't add gas.
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin & Arizona
Posts: 4,844
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
I can't add to the comments already provided other than I think the picture you posted is gorgeous.
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Jim |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 2,338
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Thanks First ! We have been off grid for the last thirty years. More elk and deer than neighbors. The temperature has risen to 28 this morning so I am going to attempt to get a door open. I need to get the lead side battery post out of the glove box so I can try to jump my diesel tractor. We are trapped because of the drifting snow blocking our driveway. Wish me luck.
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#12 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Good luck and be safe! To bad all those 4 legged neighbors won't help shovel the snow!
![]() I don't know how far south and east of me you are but I've seen some single digit temps on the weather reports this week. With the wind I'd bet the wind chill factor is below zero.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#13 | |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Quote:
![]() Seriously I thought the same thing when I first dropped in. Like a post card.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Nunya Bizz
Posts: 64
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Re: Frozen Door Handles ?
Quote:
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____________________________________ 1968 Chevrolet C-30 327 4spd flat bed dually 157" WB 1997 Chevrolet k1500 5.0 auto ECSB |
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