Door Fairing

[whpaul]

Hello Thunderbird friends,

I ask for details on the 61 TBird.

The doorlock is defekt and the power window unit must be repaired. For that ich have to take the door fairing off. Now there is the problem. To do this the door handle has to be taken off. The handle is fixed by a spring clip. I bought the special tool for this step, but I do not have success. Can not find that clamp. Is the position behind or before the large grommet at the handle? Everything is very tight and I can hardly position that tool. It feels kind of tricky.Do you have any tips for me?

Thanks for reply.

[whpaul]

Hello thunderbird friends,

so at least with some try and error I got the door handle off. The problem was that I did not push the tool deep enough.
Now I have to remove the door lock key cylinder.Therefore I am looking how to get there. Up to now, no idea.

[OUR5T8BIRD]

Do you have a shop manual for the '61 ? At the end of the door, by the latching assembly, you should see a small metal bent tab in line with the lock cylinder . just pull out on it and that should release the cylinder . You will need to release the lincage rod to remove it from the door .

[jopizz]

Here's a picture that should help. You have to slide the metal retainer and unhook the linkage to release the lock cylinder.

John

61-3 door lock.jpg

[whpaul]

Hallo John,

thank You for the detailed drawing.With the help from you I understand now how it works. I can feel the items but I can not see anything. There are some constructions for the window wich are between my fingers and the door lock. Specially the the linkage connection seems to be tricky.I checked the details with my spectrometer camera, a direkt view is not possible.

[jopizz]

Unfortunately there are many times that you have to rely on feel without a clear view of what you are doing. Just remember that the door was put together by human workers, not robots so it CAN be taken apart. It just requires patience and the right procedure.

John

[whpaul]

Hello John,

you name it and is very true. I have to try it.

[whpaul]

Hello together,

with a little help the door lock zylinders are changed and i can. lock the doors again.At the pwr-window i changed the gears and so the main problems are solved.Thanks for your helpful tipps.