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Door handles/locks

To: spitfire list <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Subject: Door handles/locks
From: "Eric A. Yates" <eyates@enteract.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:56:52 -0500

Greetings all,

I am in the process of replacing my Spitfire's exterior door handles (and
all the associated internal parts) with "new" units acquired from a parts
car. After spending quite some time with these parts, first taking them off
the parts car and now installing them in my car, I have two questions...

First, the door lock mechanism -- especially the "remote" lock operated
from inside the car -- seems to be a less than brilliant design. My
question is, how many folks bother to get the door locks working perfectly,
both with the key from the outside and with the switch inside. Is it worth
it? If you've done it, do you have any tips to keep the mechanism working
smoothly and reliably?

Second, has anyone ever noticed that the exterior door handles do not
attach very securely from inside the door? The small bracket which holds
the handle in place only contacts the inside of the door on a small area,
so when pulling open the door from the outside, a lot of pressure is put on
a small area of sheet metal. My door is actually bent slightly from this,
just under the handle. Has anyone ever reinforced this weak area? If so, how?

Thanks very much for any input,
Eric.

-----
Eric Yates
eyates@enteract.com
1978 Spitfire 1500 FM 71614 U
Chicago, IL USA


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