Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC"ER · 08-28-2011, 06:06 PM

Hello I am kinda new to the board and have not had many posts but now I am trying to put my door and window handles back on and can't get them to work. I have bought reproduction window cranks and using my original door handles, I also bought new escutcheons when I put these on and put my handles on I can not get behind the handle to slide retaining clip on? I have a 69 GMC with metal door panels. I put the escutcheons on the panel from outside in with the large side between door panel and handles I would assume this is the way they go but I could be wrong? I also bought the tool the takes them off but again it is too tight to get anything between the handle and the panel? What am I doing wrong? Thanks the newbie Robert.

landsurvey1 · 08-28-2011, 06:10 PM

put the clip on the handle first, and then slide the window crank, door handle on.

GMC"ER · 08-28-2011, 06:16 PM

I tried that it seems that they will not go far enough for them to "snap" on seems like the escutcheons are to thick or the handle shafts are to short? Even took a rubber mallet and give it a few taps and no go? Robert

this man · 08-28-2011, 06:41 PM

I would make sure that open side of the clip is towards the knob, makes it alot eaier

jugernot · 08-28-2011, 06:52 PM

I know what you are talking about, I've had the same issue.
Posted via Mobile Device

68gmsee · 08-28-2011, 07:05 PM

Try a small amount of petroleum jelly on the parts. I've had success with that before. If it still won't go, take the escutcheon off and see if that's what's keeping it from going in. With it off, it's easier to remove the clip.

One other thing that you can try is to pry the clip open just a scosh. I've done that too.

GMC"ER · 08-28-2011, 07:30 PM

Thanks guys got them on had to push on the door panel a little harder to get the door handle to snap on, the window just pushed right on after I put the clip on first the door handle did seem to not be sticking out as far as the window crank is? But never the less they are on and look and work good thanks everybody! The newbie Robert

71gmcburb · 08-28-2011, 07:53 PM

are you useing a set of 72 inner door panels (they have a molded in armrest)? they require a longer crank stud on the door then 67-71 inner panels. just a thought as you said the handles don't go far enough to clip on.

mbgmike · 08-28-2011, 08:43 PM

Glad you got them n. They are a pain. the repros just don't fit as good as oem

**WIDESIDE72** · 09-29-2013, 01:57 AM

I know that this is an old thread, but I am having the same issue with the rpro handles. I even took the clip off and they still don't want to go on. It looks as if there is chrome plating on the inside of the handle where it goes over the shaft!

bobs409 · 09-29-2013, 06:36 AM

Sounds like you got some rejects. (not hard to do with the quality of repro junk) I'd send them back, let the vendor who sold them to you eat the loss.

68gmsee · 09-29-2013, 09:47 AM

Try a dowel or similar that fits into the hole and wrap sandpaper around it to sand some of the thickness off until it goes in. If you can't do that, then I agree to send them back and let the vendor know of the problem. Reputable vendors want to know about defective parts.

08-28-2011, 06:06 PM	#1
GMC"ER Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Surgoinsville,Tennessee Posts: 113	Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Hello I am kinda new to the board and have not had many posts but now I am trying to put my door and window handles back on and can't get them to work. I have bought reproduction window cranks and using my original door handles, I also bought new escutcheons when I put these on and put my handles on I can not get behind the handle to slide retaining clip on? I have a 69 GMC with metal door panels. I put the escutcheons on the panel from outside in with the large side between door panel and handles I would assume this is the way they go but I could be wrong? I also bought the tool the takes them off but again it is too tight to get anything between the handle and the panel? What am I doing wrong? Thanks the newbie Robert.

08-28-2011, 06:10 PM	#2
landsurvey1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 404	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on put the clip on the handle first, and then slide the window crank, door handle on.

08-28-2011, 06:16 PM	#3
GMC"ER Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Surgoinsville,Tennessee Posts: 113	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on I tried that it seems that they will not go far enough for them to "snap" on seems like the escutcheons are to thick or the handle shafts are to short? Even took a rubber mallet and give it a few taps and no go? Robert

08-28-2011, 06:41 PM	#4
this man Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: kansas city missouri Posts: 6	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on I would make sure that open side of the clip is towards the knob, makes it alot eaier

08-28-2011, 06:52 PM	#5
jugernot Life, Be In It..... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Novato, California Posts: 1,498	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on I know what you are talking about, I've had the same issue. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Project Name: LEMON DROP. Reconstruction started "December 2000". Projected completion date "Who knows" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200082

08-28-2011, 07:05 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Try a small amount of petroleum jelly on the parts. I've had success with that before. If it still won't go, take the escutcheon off and see if that's what's keeping it from going in. With it off, it's easier to remove the clip. One other thing that you can try is to pry the clip open just a scosh. I've done that too.

08-28-2011, 07:30 PM	#7
GMC"ER Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Surgoinsville,Tennessee Posts: 113	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Thanks guys got them on had to push on the door panel a little harder to get the door handle to snap on, the window just pushed right on after I put the clip on first the door handle did seem to not be sticking out as far as the window crank is? But never the less they are on and look and work good thanks everybody! The newbie Robert

08-28-2011, 07:53 PM	#8
71gmcburb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: everett washington Posts: 382	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on are you useing a set of 72 inner door panels (they have a molded in armrest)? they require a longer crank stud on the door then 67-71 inner panels. just a thought as you said the handles don't go far enough to clip on. __________________ a wise man once said "There are only two real rules to life... 1 - Don't sweat the small stuff 2 - Everything is small stuff

08-28-2011, 08:43 PM	#9
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Glad you got them n. They are a pain. the repros just don't fit as good as oem

09-29-2013, 01:57 AM	#10
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,494	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on I know that this is an old thread, but I am having the same issue with the rpro handles. I even took the clip off and they still don't want to go on. It looks as if there is chrome plating on the inside of the handle where it goes over the shaft!

09-29-2013, 06:36 AM	#11
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Sounds like you got some rejects. (not hard to do with the quality of repro junk) I'd send them back, let the vendor who sold them to you eat the loss. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

09-29-2013, 09:47 AM	#12
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Can't get door and window handle retaining clips back on Try a dowel or similar that fits into the hole and wrap sandpaper around it to sand some of the thickness off until it goes in. If you can't do that, then I agree to send them back and let the vendor know of the problem. Reputable vendors want to know about defective parts. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...



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