Evening all--working on getting the door panels reupholstered. I'm having some difficulty figuring out how to remove the door and window handles. It looks like there is a spring removal tool for Chevy's of this vintage that you slip behind the handle (linked below). Anybody have any experience with removing the door panel or how to remove these handles in general? Thanks!

https://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Item=637

-Jarrad

 

It is exactly the same a Chevy and all other GM cars of the time. You should be able to get the tool and most any auto parts store. You will have a hard time getting the handles off without it, Good luck.

 

Perfect, thanks. I'll go ahead and pick one up.

 

Jarred, if you've never used one of these there's a few things you need to know to make the job easier. I've taken some pictures from a 1955 that show you what's behind the handle & door panel. There is a plastic disc that fits between the handle and the door panel. Sometimes this disc is hard to see as its tight against the backside of the handle. You must slide this tool between the plastic disc and handle or you won't be able to push the clip off. The clip goes on in one direction, so you need to slide the tool in from the opposite direction. There are slots on both sides of the handle that the clip goes into, the tool needs to slide into these slots to push the clip off. Once the clip is pushed off you'll need to pull, wiggle or gently pry the handle off. Check out these photos and let us know if you have any questions. John

 

John, thank you so much for these. This helps a lot! I bought that exact tool on ebay last night and will remove the handles next weekend. I'll follow back up!! - Jarrad

 

You can also remove the clips using a long scribe. One end is straight, the other is a short hook with a 90 dg bend. Slide the hooked end in flat, rotate 90 deg under the loop end of the clip, and pull. You just have to keep the clip from sproinging across the garage floor. Easy.