Tips/tricks on fixing door handle "droop" on '48-'49 convertibles

[49caddyman]

HELP!! Though I'm quite familiar with '48 & '49 Cadillacs, I never professed to know "everything".  Is there someone out there that has successfully "adjusted" a door handle "droop" problem on '48-'49 convertibles who can give me any tips/tricks?  I know the metal link rod that connects the door latch assembly to the "freestanding" potmetal piece that the door handle shaft goes through does have a provision for adjusting its length, & thereby "correcting" door handle "droop", & bringing the door handles to their proper horizontal alignment.
   Problem is, I can't ascertain how to disconnect the bottom part of this link from the door latch assembly.  I don't see any obvious "clip" to hold it to the latch assembly, & I certainly don't want to start prying on it for fear of breaking a part inside the latch assembly.  I'm assuming this would be the way to adjust the length of the link...namely, by somehow disconnecting the bottom of the link from the latch assembly, then one could turn it in or out until the door handle "droop" is eliminated.
   Anyome out there that can help me out with this?  Much appreciated!  Joe Cutler

[harry s]

Joe, On my '48 there is a small hairpin clip that holds the rod from the handle. It is hard to see but as I recall you may need to remove the latch screws so you can move it around. Of course you have to remove the access cover on the door jamb. Good Luck,    Harry

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I have heard that it is possible to bend the shaft carefully to correct this. That was for the '41s though.

[Richardonly]

Joe and others with the droops,

What I did on my 1948, although not the correct way, was insert a piece of gasket material on the outside between the handle and the plate next to it.

It rubs, it's snug and even the most severe bumps don't let them drop.  Besy of all, if you use small pieces, you don't see the gasket material.  I used a general purpose glue to hold the pieces in.  I also used a screwdriver to open the gap so that the pieces could be put in, then remove it so the glue sticks.  ONE SIDE OF GASKET ONLY!!!

Of course, when you open the door, you must manualy put them in place again.  Many times, I open the door from the inside through the open window (s).

Regards, Richard

I know this doesn't answer the question, but it does solve the problem.(Manualy)

[Martin Michaels]

I am not sure if the 48 is like my 47,what I did to solve this problem was to take the spring off that pushes the handle back up heat it up with a torch bend it to take up the slack. I tried the other cures and this worked best for me. Marty

[1949]

I do recall that Jay Friedman addressed this issue via the 49ers club bulletins that are now
available online.
It was a VERY good article, and included the parts Nos. you need to fix this problem
Mike Lynch