1966 Mustang Interior Door Handle Question

jdstefan22 · 08-05-2009

My drivers side interior side handle has lost its' "tension". It is completely functional, pulling it up while inside the car, it will engage the latch mechanism and open the door. But the "tension" that was in it, where it sort of returns back to its' original position after the handle is lifted is gone.

I think either a spring or the actual door handle shaft that the handle connects to provides this tension. The cost and effort between the two is enough that I want to diagnose it properly. (yes, I know I will have to take it apart regardless and diagnose it, but here at work, my mind is just curious which part it may be).

Does anyone know which part it most likely is that provides this tension to the interior door handle when it is actuated on a 66 Coupe?

66Sprint200 · 08-05-2009

I know exactly whats wrong. I just fixed this on my driver side handle. Ok, the shaft that the handle attaches to is part of a little assembly. In the back of the assembly is a large spring that makes the door handle return. After 40 years of use, some of them snap, like mine did, and like yours has. Here is a link to it at mustangsunlimited. Mustangs Unlimited - The Premier Source for Mustang, Shelby and Cougar Parts and Accessories

jdstefan22 · 08-05-2009

Thanks for the reply! I had a feeling that was the deal with that part breaking. That part is fairly cheap, just the labor of removing the door panel and all is what I didn't want to do, but it will be done- just put everything back together a couple months ago after a restoration.

One question, when you replaced it, how was the access for your hands and reconnecting what is connected to it inside the door. I just had the door panel off a few months ago, and know for some of these repairs, the access is, shall we say, a tad tight, what was your experience?

Chalk it up to the "joys" of a 43 year old car. Of course, it just happened to snap as I was getting out of the car, at a Car Show!

66Sprint200 · 08-06-2009

It was easy to access, it's held in by three plus head screws under the watershield. The clip disconnects with the help of a flathead screwdriver twisting between the clip and the rod from the handle to the latch. The only difficult thing was, I didn't buy a new clip, so I had to try and save the old one, which I did. It was just a pain to get out of the old assembly.