OUTFXD Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 Started working on Jacquiline's Door panels. Pulled off the door cards to be presented with a problem I had long forgotten about. On the inside of either door near the back edge and just under the window is a screw that sticks out 1/4 - 1/2 inch. it apparently holds the outside door opening handle. It wont thread deeper. taking it off doesnt seem to allow the door handle to be removed. Looking at interior picks of other peoples cars I dont see the screw, meaning that it must be intended to lay flat under the door card instead of going through the door card. I cant see a wat to get it to lay flush. So, is this piece supposed to lay flush or go through the door card. If it lays flush does anyone know of an easy fix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 most the door handles are affixed to the door exterior via two screws... My screws were stepped for the card thickness allowing the threads to end at the door shaft and just flush with the bottom of the card. Allowing you the choice of using if making new cards. I removed the allow cast handles and changed them to stainless steel units from another Mopar and CUT the shafts the proper length and then drilled and tapped them. You can alter this in any fashion that suits your build or whimsy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 On my 1939 Desoto there are two exterior screws that hold the door handle onto the outside door panel. The door hand is then pushed through the metal of the door and at the end of the handle there is a square section that is threaded. I also have a flat headed screw with a build in collar that goes through the interior door panel and then the screw is mounted through this hole and it matches up with the square shank end that has the tapped treads. The screw with the collar is chrome plated as is visible. If you use the screw on the door frame and have it behind the door panel then when you want to remove the handle then you will have to remove the garnish molding and also door panel. Look in your parts manual for your car it will list the screw. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan_B Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) Are you sure this screw has something to do with the door handle? It seems to be located way off and too far away. I have the same screws going through the door panels on my 1940. I took them out when re-doing my panels, and forgot to put them back in ? Still have these sitting in the box with other "extra" parts. Not sure what these are for... Interesting fact: both these screws and the soft interior door handle screws on my car have a Philips head, on one side, and the straight line slot head on the other one... I guess since Plymouth had a different body style each year, back then, they were probably customizing some of these cars with what ever parts they had available. My car is from February 1940, and I did find some interesting things inside, which looks like an assembly line custom body work ? Edited September 23, 2023 by Ivan_B 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 Ivan-B: yes the treads on the screw will thread into the square shanked end of the door handle. This is how the handle was attached so that the handle went in to the latch control. I have this setup on all four doors. I have several of these screws and some have the slotted head for a straight flat blade screw drivers and several have the Phillips head style. So yes there are two styles and i found these at several swap meets. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Hiebert Posted September 24, 2023 Report Share Posted September 24, 2023 (edited) Removed comment, didn't read previous responses thoroughly. Edited September 24, 2023 by Dan Hiebert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.