C3 Corvette DOOR HANDLES: Remove and Install

This is the most comprehensive, step-by-step how-to video on how to remove, then install, a C3 Corvette exterior door handle, from 1969 through 1982.
Removing or installing a C3 Corvette outside door handle is challenging but achievable by the average DIY mechanic with the right tools.
The door panel has to come off and a couple of items must be loosened and moved out of the way to get the job done. Also, if yours is broken or simply old and rusty and in need of replacement, you will need to have a suitable part available.
A basic understanding of how clips connect to rods, for example, and how to route the latch release rod are important details covered in great detail so you can get the job done quickly and correctly.
This project is a big one, and not suitable for the faint of heart. An ample selection of tools along with a basic understanding of their proper use, will go a long way.
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
CONTENTS
01:13 Removing the Anti-Theft Plastic Shield
03:34 Loosening the Door Latch
05:39 Disconnecting the Door Handle-to-Latch Rod
07:48 Removing the Outside Door Handle
16:13 Removing the Window Motor Cover
18:59 Cleaning Parts with Evaporust
21:37 Looking for Parts
23:16 The Door Latch Mechanism
25:41 Connecting the Handle Rod to the Latch
28:05 How to Secure the Rod to the Door Handle
32:10 Reinstalling the Door Handle
40:16 Testing the New Door Handle
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CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)
⚡ Door Handle Rod Clips: amzn.to/3saNIvj
⚡ Linkage Clips: amzn.to/3s3C0D1
⚡ Driver Side Door Handle: amzn.to/3DM50Sl
76 Vette Assembly Manual: amzn.to/2GBuHrd
68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
How to Restore Corvette: amzn.to/35B6L0R
68-82 Vette Resto Guide: amzn.to/2QvvIG
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
I am a self-taught DIYer. If videos appear to give technical how-to advice, that is not my intention.
Working on a vehicle can be dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a mechanic.

[@jimgoegebeur8773]

Fantastic Video. There's no way you could have explained the process any better. Thanks so much!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@Creed4222]

I did this last weekend on my 76 and put new handles in. OMFG that back nut was pain to reinstall. Who ever was in the doors before left the back nut off. I originally went in to replace a wheel that runs on the long horizontal and back vertical track (round to square wheel) and clean up the tracks, but Ill end up having to replace the driverside regulator due to the wheel that runs in the small horizontal track is busted off the regulator. Figured it was a good time to clean up windows and install the new handles while I was there. Great vid!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@ajmaresca2165]

IMO I don't think that anyone could have explained or shown how to do this any better. The camera work was great and the commentary about keeping the parts at the bottom of the door for safe keeping was on point. I'm sure I will be referring back to this video when I replace mine in the future. Thank you for providing great content.

[@76vette]

Glad to hear you found it helpful. Good luck with your project. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@CompoundTaylor]

This was a big help. As a 76 owner myself, you're channel is a big help. Thank you!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@brianhallwfa]

I managed to pull out my broken outdoor handle about 6 months ago. With the help of this video, I manged to put everything back together today. Thank you so much!

[@76vette]

Glad to hear it helped you put it back together. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@mikestone7692]

Great video including camera work & commentary. Thank you.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@cooperbeazley9358]

I wish I had this video 10 months ago. The video quality is excellent and the trick about just pushing the clevis through the clip would have saved me hours of agony. Also loosening the door mechanism is absolutely key on this whole process. Unless you have tiny hands there is no way you can access the mechanism. I got my door handle rebuilt and installed but it was basically a trial and error process. Another great job. Thanks

[@76vette]

It is a challenging job. That’s for sure. Thank you so much for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@jackb.1793]

Greatest video ever! Really helped me out on getting my Corvette door latches working.

[@76vette]

Glad to hear the video was helpful. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@mehomeboymi411]

Great video. Thank you. I stuffed a towel under where I was working and the fasteners didn't drop so far. Easy to retain.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@JessicaEvans-d2o]

thank you would have been lost without video

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@randy-jt2iu]

Simply awesome video, thank you very much for sharing!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@markbaker8004]

Great help! Your video was the most helpful that I found. The various manuals were not thorough. Thanks. I have subscribed.

[@76vette]

Glad you found it helpful, Mark. Thank you for watching and for subscribing. 😊👍🏻

[@jasonmoore632]

Thank you this was such a great video!! Very helpful to me.

[@76vette]

Happy to hear it. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome video! Great detailed information! 👍

[@76vette]

Thank you, Mitch! 😊👍🏻

[@alzg8779]

Great stuff as usual Luis....Hope I never have to do it though! Thank you!

[@76vette]

Lol 😆 Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kerrybloxham7741]

Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy this channel as I have a 73 L82 corvette, when do you think you will be able to get back to John Hilbert home to film more or his collection I really enjoy those videos Kiwi Kerry thanks

[@76vette]

Hi Kerry. Glad to hear you’re enjoying my videos. I do not have a specific date to give you, but once the weather cools down a bit I plan to go see him and shoot a video of his white ‘73. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@inell6]

I went through this nightmare when installing my door handle. The only pain is that little round doo-dad with the peg that is on the bottom of the rod that runs down from the handle. If that doo-dad isn't adjusted (up or down on the threads) just right, it can cause all kinds of issues from not being able to lock, unlock, using key , inside or outside door handle. And it may work for a few months, then BAM! Gets stuck again. Just my experience. Good video. Thanks.

[@76vette]

Yes, these parts need tiny adjustments to operate properly. And making those adjustments takes forever because of their location. Glad you liked the video. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@inell6]

After checking other videos I didn’t see one that mentions the small retaining clip that secures the rod to the door handle. Mine didn’t have that clip when I replaced the handle. So I checked my assembly manual and Bada bing bada boom, it shows that retaining clip does belong there. And that’s why your videos are some of the best!

[@76vette]

@inell6 Thanks for the kind words and for watching my videos. 😊👍🏻

[@davebabel9566]

Wow that looks like a real PITA but at least you showed that it’s do-able. This will most likely be a winter project for me this year and I’m definitely not looking forward to it. As always a great video that shows the steps required to do the job. One question at what point did you reattach the the big locking mechanism back on the door with the three screws? Looks like maybe right at the very end? Just want to make sure it will all go back together once I tear it apart.

[@76vette]

Thank you! Yes, I reattached the latch with the three screws at the very end. I don’t think you can get the job done properly with that thing in the way. Good luck with your winter project 😊👍🏻

[@albertsmit9741]

thanks i was just going to change my doorhandles

[@76vette]

Good luck with your project! 😊👍🏻

[@crunks420]

Dude no way, I am super in to these doorhandles, as well. Gotta keep em fresh!

[@alphillips47]

I love your video. You’re very good at explaining it, but it drives me crazy at the end how you slam that door. I usually bring it close and easily click it in slamming can’t be good for anything as far as the mechanism goes.

[@Ender0999]

Boy you are NOT kidding about"not for the faint of heart". I had to replace one of my door lock mechanism. I think I invented a few new curse words and I wound up throwing a tool or too. The door still isn't right. It'll open but the latch mechanism sticks in the down position. I need to completely tear it apart and start over. I'm sure this will help me a bunch!

[@76vette]

Well, then you know that on video it looks easier. And I edited out the colorful language. Lol 😆 On yours, you may just want to bite the bullet and completely remove the latch mechanism to clean and lubricate it thoroughly. Also, a bent rod may be the reason as to why it sticks. Good luck. I hope you get it working right. 😊👍🏻

[@Ender0999]

@@76vette Well I completely replaced the locking mechanism. Brand new! I also put lithium grease on the moving parts just to be safe. The clips that go on the door rod connectors are actually called "Carburetor Clips". You can buy them at any of the name brand stores if you ever need new ones. They were like $3 bucks for a pack or something like that. Yes, it looks MUCH easier on video. I am going to take the whole door apart. I need to replace the door hinges and the power window motor and the dirty window bothers me too. So I'm just going ro restore the whole thing all at one time and give it a thorough reconditioning.

[@76vette]

@@Ender0999 Good luck with that massive project, and thanks for the tip about the carb clips. 😊👍🏻

[@greglondon5414]

@@Ender0999o

[@micksterboone4517]

My early '71 doesn't have those plastic shields.

[@76vette]

I think they were added years later as theft deterrent shields. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@geraldbrakefield3874]

they are actually 7/16 sae not metric

[@geraldbrakefield3874]

it was other wise the best video i have seen about the removal

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@inell6]

So I changed the outside door handle on my 79 today. The one I replaced was garbage that started sticking in the down position after a few months . Anyway it did have a clip where the rod connects to the handle, but it looks different than the one you used. GM#7762203. For 69-81 Vettes. I’m sure they provide the same purpose, just thought you may want to give it a look.

[@76vette]

Ok. Thank you 😊👍🏻