just shows to go ya..some things are better left..

Yesterday, I decided to tackle the doors. They needed the gaskets under the handles and locks (outside) and also the window seals(inside and out). The outer window seal was removed by drilling the rivets out. Luckily, I broke the bit on the second one instead of drilling all of them out. The bit was one size too big. The holes would not hold the new rivets! So I finished with the right bit, drilled new holes for the 2 I enlarged and began the install. Now, the new hoels I had to make were down alittle so they pulled the strip down. From the outside, it looks like I did it, and in a hurry. Grrr. Next the locks. I figured out the clip behind them that keeps them on. Once out and the new gasket on, they would not hold because the retianer clip could not get in far enough to expand. One finally did. Now it moves in & out on one side. I can't seem to get it out to fix either. Didn't mention that I chipped the paint and tore the gasket, did I? Grr!

You might be able to repair the larger holes or you can get a larger pop rivet for those two holes. I also saw new type door locks and keepers in either Vic Brit or Moss that are supposed to be easier to re-install. I took all htat off when painting and some of can be a real trick to get back on.

Sit back, get your favorite beverage, take a new look at what you're doing and see what fix is needed. The chipped paint ???? Grrrrr!

Good Luck

Next time you remove the locks. Take a small hose clamp and tighten it to compress the clips. Then with a punch tap them out. The clamp will keep the springs compressed to make it a breeze to tap them out. When putting them back with new rubber tap on them with a rubber mallet till the springs pop in place.

Thanks! No drink, just sam-e. I gave up drinking.

The lock retaining clip has no clearance on one side for the thickness of the body metal and the seal. I will have to knick alittle off next time I have it out. The hose clamp to hold the clips in while removing the lock sounds great! Thanks for that bit.

I drilled out the 1/8" rivets that I put in the wrong place and used oversized ones in the correct but bored out holes. That fixed that! Thanks again!

Things are starting to look good. Maybe one more sam-e! lol

note:

sam-e is the latest multi purpose mood enhancer. It is a natural enzime that the body produces but sometime not enough. It also helps with joint loss and kidney trouble.

those window seals can be a real pain....especially when you have to drop the whole mechanism down in the door just to get that last half-inch of glass out of the way! It's a nice detail when your done, though.

Ditto the thanks for the door lock tip, Tom. Its too late for me but I'll file it away for the future.....