Topic: Door handle screw won't tighten down
in Forum: C3 Body
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Former Member
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STERLING, CO - USA
Joined: 1/10/2013
Posts: 43
Vette(s): My Corvettes are a 1978 L-82 Coupe with an automatic transmission. It has a Silver Anniversary paint scheme with an Oyster interior. I also have a 2003 Electron Blue convertible, Milestone Edition with an LS-1 and a six speed transmission.
Can someone help me with that age old problem. My driver's side door handle screw won't tighten down. I know that the two base screw mounts can be replaced, but what is the fix for the one at the top? If there is a thread that covers the repair, I couldn't find it. Thanks for the help.
Lynn
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Not sure exactly which screw(s) you're referring to....inside door handle, or external handle?
Here's a visual of the interior door
|UPDATED|5/29/2013 8:17:45 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
STERLING, CO - USA
Joined: 1/10/2013
Posts: 43
Vette(s): My Corvettes are a 1978 L-82 Coupe with an automatic transmission. It has a Silver Anniversary paint scheme with an Oyster interior. I also have a 2003 Electron Blue convertible, Milestone Edition with an LS-1 and a six speed transmission.
I was referring to the inside door handle. There are three screws. To anchor the arm rest brace; the third secures the top of the armrest where you pull the door shut. Thanks,
Lynn
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
When I have that problem and it happens often enough I use a speed nut or clip nut. When I use a speed nut I hot glue it in place to hold it. Apoxie does not seem to work good as speed nuts have to remain flexible. But a little hot glue works not a lot as you are only looking to keep it in place until the screw is started.
Clip Nut
Speed Nut
|UPDATED|5/29/2013 9:13:14 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I'm not a fan of using larger screws as the sheet metal gets enlarged.
Clip NutSpeed NutHopes this helps. I had the same problem on my car except the someone had already used a larger screw so getting an even larger one was not an option. That is when I started using Clip or Speed Nuts. Next time I have my dash out I will be putting Speed Nuts behind every screw so I'm not just screwing into foam or plastic.
|UPDATED|5/29/2013 9:13:14 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
So the door pull handle is loose, right? If the threads in the metal part of the door are worn, then your only option is as Gilbert posted....clip nuts.
If the door pull itself is broken, and the screw is just pulling thru the door pull, there is a specific Repair Kit for that.
If the door pull itself is broken, and the screw is just pulling thru the door pull, there is a specific Repair Kit for that.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
STERLING, CO - USA
Joined: 1/10/2013
Posts: 43
Vette(s): My Corvettes are a 1978 L-82 Coupe with an automatic transmission. It has a Silver Anniversary paint scheme with an Oyster interior. I also have a 2003 Electron Blue convertible, Milestone Edition with an LS-1 and a six speed transmission.
I have my Saturday project all planned out. Thanks to all for the help. I'll use the suggestions to fix the problem. I'm going to have to get new arm rests because my driver's door handle is too far gone to use the "fix". I got the kit and couldn't make it work. Does the 2013 Member Gathering have a swap meet? Sounds like a great idea to me.
Thanks for the help,
Lynn
in Forum: C3 Body
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