door handle installation

["Walter" <Whalt@xxxx>]

I am getting ready to replace the driver's side door handle on my car with
the latest reproduction made by DMC Houston. I already replaced the
passenger side door handle a few weeks ago with the same, and with that
experience behind me, I now want to know if anyone has any tips on how to
make the job easier.

In particular, how do you get any kind of wrench/socket to fit the nuts in
the door? There isn't enough room to swing a crescent wrench. There isn't
a straight enough shot to use a socket with an extension. In fact, there
isn't even enough room for a socket at all. My shallowest 10mm socket was
too long to clear obstructions in the door.

The only wrench configuration that I could make work was a crowfoot wrench
on the end of a swivel socket adapter with a long extension & ratchet
handle. And I still only had enough room to tighten the nuts 1/4 turn at a
time when I was lucky enough to flop the swivel extension in the right spot.
It was like playing pin-ball only not as fun. Surely there must be a better
way!

Removing the old handle assembly was quite complicated because it had
attached an older reproduction cast aluminum handle that was held to the
base assembly with pivot pins that were so long that the handle could not be
removed without first being disassembled inside the door. What a job! It
must have taken someone with very tiny hands and a lot of patience to put
that thing together inside the door the last time. I read in the DML
archives that someone cut the stainless door skin holes a little bigger to
fit a pre-assembled handle rather than try to assemble it from inside the
door.

Thankfully, the new reproduction DMC Houston handle goes on just like the
OEM with no fuss -- except getting the 10mm nuts on and off in that small
space.

While I had it apart, I filled the cable/sheath with white lithium grease
since it was completely dry and full of corrosion from water intrusion.

Comments anyone?

Walt Tampa, FL