Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

How do you remove the outside door handles on a 1940 series 62?

Thanks

Open the door and look for a hole in line with the door handle shaft. You will see a small screw too remove and be careful not to lose it because it is tapered and could be hard to replace. If the inside handle is off the outside handle along with the shaft should pull out fairly easily.

That is the way my 42 is and I think they used that system for many years.

Here are a couple of pictures to add to what Gary posted.   Bill

These tapered screws are readably available from 'Bobs'

Thanks for the info. I thought that screw might be it but I wanted to make sure.

Based on experience, suggest you give the screw several liberal doses of the best penetrating oil you can find (Aero Kroil or maybe PB Blaster) before trying to remove.  These are an incredible pain to deal with if you strip/damage the screw slot.  The thread at the end of the taper is 8-32, if you do end up needing to drill out a damaged screw.

Paul

This is a great thread, particularly with regard to removing old and hard-to-replace screws.

My driver outside door handle does not operate the latch.  It is not free-spinning, but nothing happens when I turn it and I have to reach inside the window and open the door from the inside handle.  I need to remove the inside panel to see what's going on, but thought I'd ask here for any suggestions, i.e. how do I get my outside door handle to operate again?  Is there likely something broken, or does it just need adjustment?  I've been through all my documentation, including the Fisher Body Manual and there is very little on the outside handles.

Thanks in advance,

Ed Buliavac

Sounds like you just have something wrong with the locking interior button. As the latch works correctly from inside there can't be much wrong with it.     Do you still have the locking button in the interior window molding? If so, it could have become detached from the door latch or have a broken part to it.     If you don't have the button at all it sounds like the lever from the button to the latch could be in the down locked position which makes the outside handle free to move on its spring but not open the door?  You may be just missing to top of the button, if so look down in side the hole where it fits and you may see the threaded end of its rod. Try to pull it up through the hole or remove the molding to do it. It will 'click' up.   
With the absence of door lock keys many owner including myself would remove the button to avoid accidentally locking themselves out of the car.

Hi Steve,

Thanks, my car has a locking knob, which as I recall is stuck, so that sounds like it might be the problem.  I think in '41 the design changed to a button at the top of the door panel, that you lift up or push down.  Mine is a dial that is turned one way or the other.  The locks are also stiff, probably need lubrication.  Fortunately, I have keys.  That information gets me started, and is much appreciated.  I'll know more when I can remove the door panel and get a good look at what's going on.

Best regards always,

Ed

Ed
I am not sure of all variations in lock mechanisms, but what is typical is for the inside handle to operate as a direct pull on the latch, and for the outside handle to move the latch via a cam-like mechanism.  The lock function is intermediary in the cam/linkage.  Either to lock section being seized or something else wrong in the mechanism could be causes.  There was a similar discussion in this thread http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=135342.0 along with a couple pictures.  You may want to take a look at that info.

Good luck!
Paul

Thanks Paul,

That is a very helpful thread.  I am thinking my driver door may be locked, and because the lock has seized, I can't unlock it to turn the outside handle.  The passenger door is in the opposite position; outside handle operates, but I can't lock the door, lock seized there too.  The driver outside handle seems a bit loose though, so something beyond lock lubrication might be needed.  Looking forward to removing the door panel.

Thanks very much!

Ed

Hi Ed,
I looked at your car today. I don't think the door is "locked", I think a spring is broken inside. I checked a latch that I have. It doesn't open the tongue  either. I can't see anything wrong with it. I'll do some more research tomorrow.
Bob

Thanks a lot Bob.  Let me know what comes up.  Ed

Ed,
It does open the tongue now. I'm taking it to Greg this afternoon.
Bob

Thank you so much!  Ed