1977 C3 Corvette - (1968-1982) Door Handle Removal, Repair, and Re-Install

Broken , non working C3 Corvette door handle, removed, fixed, and re-installed. This video shows the process I used to remove the C3 door handle, do the repair and then re-install. It's not a super difficult DYI job to do, but it's tricky to unlatch and then re-attach the door handle to the inside door mechanism. Basics tools required like screw drivers and needle nose pliers.
This C3 door panel has been opened before, no rust, window rail and motor working fine, showing the age of 44 years.

[@lancemartin9221]

Great video! Just missed the whole "door handle removal" part. No big deal

[@100amps]

Thanks. A similar issue is happening on my '79. It's always nice to see it apart before digging into it myself.

[@Motorcycology]

Glad to help

[@andrewpiroli1]

So.... a video on how to remove the door handle skips over the part about how to remove the door handle..... awesome!

[@Motorcycology]

Time to do a re-do on this video to highlight those areas . Thanks for your comment. J

[@pierrefaucher6120]

@@Motorcycology Since you're planning to do the video again, I thought I'd mention that there is a clip that holds that rod to the handle mechanism. 😉 That said, you're doing a great service to all of us with a C3 and looking for help. Thank you...

[@Motorcycology]

@@pierrefaucher6120 sounds good. I may redo that video this week, paying attention to some of the finer details that people want to see. Thank you for watching and the comments...and with that back pit to my garage to do some more work. All good. J

[@driver3306]

I like how he said "a tiny bit of Locktite" then proceeds to dowse the tiny screw with a huge amount of Locktite.

[@equisequis.55]

no one never shows you the hard part of removing and installing handles and clips. its a 2 hour job if you have the time. not easy.

[@fabienbouron4789]

hello, Fabien from France, I have a 1977 Corvette also and I was looking for how to change my central bezel, I did not find this on your channel, maybe a good video to make as 77 are very special year, Thanks for your videos

[@Motorcycology]

That is a good idea for sure and sooner or later I will be doing that. I need to repair my clock too which I'm looking forward to rebuilding the old clock which is a combo of mechanical, magnetic, and electrical components. Classic mid 70 stuff where he world was on the cusp of being electronic, but still mechanical too.

[@Motorcycology]

Thanks for the comment and I hear you. I'll plan on making a more comprehensive video on the same topic later this year! That is for watching and also for your comment. J

[@aboutmyfathersbusiness8324]

Hello. I think that little clip is suppose to be installed prior to the pin being put into the hole. I believe it is a "quick attach" clip. To remove it, you lift up on the thin metal facing you, disengaging the little clip indent and push toward the outer door skin. The pin and rod will disengage from the clip and pop out of the hole. When installing, install the clip first, then reach your hand in, find the hole and just push the rod into it. The wings of the pin will catch the rod and wont let go.

[@Motorcycology]

That's awesome and great recommendation. Next time I have my door panel off, I'll install the clip using the method you described. That clip was the hardest part of the repair. Thanks again.

[@jhscheppele2448]

Can you imagine put ing one of these together on the assembly line.

[@Motorcycology]

I'm sure the factory workers didn't really like doing this type of repetitive stuff. Not a hard repair though compare to there stuff I'm working on. Thanks for your comment and watching btw. J

[@idontknow2293]

I'd like to know how you got the door open in the first place 🤔

[@blackhawk32b4]

Love how you skipped over potting the clip in. Didn't want to show how hard it was?

[@johnathanb7774]

Thanks for your reply. Nothing too hard on these C3 Corvettes, nothing. I get your point though and will re-do this video at a later time to show what is missing as you are not the first to make that comment.

[@jyjjackfast]

thank you

[@Motorcycology]

You're welcome. Thanks for your comment btw and watching the video.

[@frankkeel8410]

Always owning a 77 lube the window crank coil.The grease petrified over time on mine and made the window hard to go up or down.

[@Motorcycology]

Great comment and I will do that. I plan on taking the panel off again, replacing with a new door panel and at that time will lube the window crank. Thanks for your comment btw.

[@dkevvv]

You need to use some kind of a lock nut on the bolt, loose nut and lock tight wont hold in the long run.

[@BurtRito2023]

Do you have a how to on changing the door rods? Mine 80 C3 won’t open from inside or outside. I pulled out the door panel and was able to get it to open.

[@Motorcycology]

I've done that process before and that is certainly a good idea for a video. I'll try and get one made. Thanks for your comments. J

[@MEANSTREETAUTO454]

I watched it twice .What was the broken part ? Sorry Just didn't see it .

[@edstingray3828]

the return spring pop loose..

[@Motorcycology]

@@edstingray3828 The spring was not connected and the pin for the mechanism was broken, so I replaced with a small nut and bolt to act as the "pin".

[@johnkoonce3695]

How did you get the clip off before taking handle out

[@tmajchrzak22]

Hola buen trabajo, tengo una duda a ver si alguien me puede ayudar , Corvette c3 está cerrado y se me va la batería, ahora no puedo abrir con llave ninguna de las puertas, si no hay corriente no puedo abrir, si esto es normal ? Bombín de las 2 puertas gira pero no abre

[@salzee]

I've got a slightly different problem, my handle works it's just I have to use both hands to push it down and then it opens... I'm thinking WD-40 vs. ripping out my door? Thanks for any advice. Great video! Thanks!

[@Motorcycology]

The metal rods inside the door may be loose or bent, if so they may need more pressure (that's why you have to press down hard on you door handle)to get it open. If the rods are missing parts or worn out, you can purchase new rods fairly cheaply.

[@important9836]

You will need to take off your inside door panel, that's an easy job. It's likely a rod that's out of alingment

[@dkevvv]

DON'T use WD-40. There are a hundred better lubes you can use.

[@toddmorris3724]

For real... I’ve redone the window assembly, glass tray, levers etc... working on a C3 corvette door panel is by far the worst thing ever. Huge PITA! On my own 1980, I have a door handle with a weak spring so the exterior handle is a little sloppy. I’m like “meh, good enough!” Just because working on those door panels is such a maddening job..... same with working under the dash🤣🤣.lol... being 6’4” is an issue with under dash repairs on C3’s. Maybe if I were 5’0” and had tiny little hands and arms, I might enjoy those repairs more but... I’m not!

[@Motorcycology]

I now how you feel. This handle was working fine last summer, then for no reason this year, it was broken. I'm glad I got it fixed and works great for now. I've got a ton of other projects on the go too with this C3..I plan on publishing video's on those too. I think the work is worth it and every time I drive the C3 and people make comments on how cool these cars are, I remind them on the ratio of maintenance to drive time....which depending on what you are doing in like 10hrs maintenance to 1 hour of driving lol. Have fun.

[@markrichardson3566]

Great video , sweet vette for sure

[@Motorcycology]

Thanks 👍

[@rea8755]

anybody know how to fix hood so it smaps down?

[@georgekloszewski9367]

how did you get to he nuts that hold he handle thats the really tricky part

[@Motorcycology]

I agree with you on that 100%. One nut is relatively easy, the other one is nearly impossible. I made a jig took to help me get that nut into that small space and then tighten it up. It's tricky things like that , that make these jobs way longer than they could be.

[@jorgeaquino70lourdes17]

wher i can find the spring for the handle door

[@Motorcycology]

You can find the spring as a separate part at this link: www.corvettedepot.ca/exterior/door-395/door-latch/corvette-door-lock-latch-springs-1968-1982 You can find a complete handle at www.corvettecentral.com/c3-68-82/doors/69-82-door-handle-right-outer-quality-1st-283011r?returnurl=%2fc3-68-82%2fdoors%2f%3fcount%3d27, or at www.corvettedepot.ca/exterior/door-395/door-handles/corvette-door-handle-assembly-right-import-1969-1982

[@Chase-jc7rx]

You missed some very important details like taking the two nuts off that are way back and had to break them loose with an open ended wrench then turn it with a screwdriver till the nut fell off then got a magnet to pick it up out the door. Then I had to get thr rod separated from the handle and there's no way to actually do that you gotta just start wiggling stuff till you get lucky and it comes apart. it took 2 freaking hours of fighting with it and this is for a job so I lost money 🤦

[@sircampbell1249]

WD 40 is not a lubricant but a cleaner

[@Motorcycology]

That is true and I have since learned that. Thanks for your comment Sir.

[@vikehager7354]

WD40 is not a lubricant and will attract dirt, lithium would be much better and last a lot longer

[@Motorcycology]

That's great to know and I'll switch to that next time. I really appreciate the tip.Thanks.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Now they want to slow down all the gas station fuel pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.:-((/////////