Re: {Chrysler 300} What's the deal with 1957 Chrysler door handles?

On Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 11:51 AM Ron Waters <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Nick (and others) -

Yes, there is a difference between 57-8 handles and 59 handles. The pitch of the serrations and the width of the 'slotted strap' changed between 58 and 59. So if you are using a 57-8 handle, your latch must also be 57-8. If you're using a 59 handle, then your latch must be 59 as well. If you view them side-by-side the difference is obvious.

Ron

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nick Taylor
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 1:54 PM
To: John Grady
Cc: Chrysler 300 Club International
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} What's the deal with 1957 Chrysler door handles?

That's good to know about getting them rebuilt. It seems a couple door handles with different issues could be combined to make one good one. And plating could be addressed when they were apart. I've looked at ones that had the back plate broken from the handle slapping closed and others with arms broken off the handles.

And could the difference between a 4-door hardtop handle and the others be addressed at the same time?

Thanks for the help.

On Wed, Dec 14, 2022 at 10:41 AM John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Nick
forward look .com can rebuild old ones if plating ok , or a kit for you to do , substitutes shoulder bolts and spacers for rivets . There are several versions , early ones had small pivot rivets and often broke at rivets at top of ears . All of them the springs rust and break . The kit fixes both size rivets , but not a broken casting . Later service ones we think have large rivets and stronger casting in rivet areas

And the kit has a new spring .

The main purpose of the kit was you cannot disassemble to rechrome them without destroying the rivet . I had that problem on 2-3 cars . Has to be drilled out . Poor fit too , so a new rivet is loose and impossible to “set”

Plus same situation with broken spring which gives rise to a floppy handle . Have to drill rivet to get at that spring , then what ?

Forward look does not do rechrome etc . But a good looking one with bad spring yes , or loose / worn rivet etc can be repaired

To rebuild yourself , you take apart and get the two pieces plated , use kit to reassemble . Drill holes etc for new parts before chrome is best . Possibly touch up hole after .

Also , may have to file before plating where two pieces pass each other to be sure it does not scrape , factory fit is very close , sometimes adding chrome makes it drag .

Agree not easy to find , but I think 57-59 interchange on all Chrysler front doors , maybe back doors too . But often pitted they need new chrome . Chances of finding an unpitted one in junkyard are very low . So NOS . Plating expensive , but then it is like new . Probably better , factory plating not very good .

I think 60 up are reproduced , on ebay .
Hope this helps

J

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 14, 2022, at 12:53 PM, Nick Taylor <nicksgaragesd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I've been trying to find a good drivers door outside handle for a friend and it's been a real struggle. Every one I've laid my hands on is broken or on its way to being broken.

The parts books show a lot of different part numbers but I can't tell the difference between the '57-59 door handles.

Are they all the same? This is for a two-door coupe.

Thanks, Nick

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