1971 Eldorado inside door handles

[bocco]

Looking for repair parts for those straps on the inside of doors on my 71 Eldo. Not sure what they're actually called.

I would like to buy new straps and the plastic trim pieces that cover up those screws that never stay in. Does anybody have source for these?

Also if anybody has figured out a good way to get the screws to stay in and hold these in place.

Thanks

Gary

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Gary,

I share your problems, as I had one break on my '72.

They are made of Spring Steel, and I have seen them repaired by laminating the broken piece and bronzing the pieces together.

But, when doing these heat-related repairs, one has to pull the plastic covers off the strap.   When putting them back on, use a bit of glue at each end, so they don't move.

Now, the Screws, well, the best way to repair the holes in the door inner frame is to panel beat the holes back to shape, as they are usually stripped by constant undoing and doing up too tight, till they strip.

There should be two screws at each end, the smaller ones to hold the strap to the inner upholstery panel, and the larger ones to the actual door.   The smaller ones aren't designed to take any pressure of the strap being pulled.

Also, you have to use the original, special screws, or the covers won't go into place.

Further, the Serviceman for late 1971 shows the factory modification to fit a screw to hold the trim covers into place as the internal clipping method is easily broken.   This problem was fixed in 1972, with a spring to attach them.   But, rough handling in removing these will break off the spring.   A good reason for having the Workshop Manual and the Fisher Body Service Manual.

Bruce.