Interior door handle question - '64 Riv

[Eric's.64.Superwildcat]

My driver's side door paddle (the front one) works fine but it was always a bit floppy.  

 

During my winter project I found out why.  Below is a photo of both driver's side door handle mechanisms.  The one on the left is for the front paddle (floppy), the one on the right is the rear passenger's paddle (not floppy).  As you can see the spring is broken on left mechanism.  The right mechanism shows what it should look like with an in-tact spring.  

 

I think the spring was probably inserted before the two halves of the door mechanism were welded together, which means a retrofit is going to be tricky. 

 

Has anyone come across this and found a spring type that can be used to keep the tension on the door handle mechanism?  I went to the hardware store today but I didn't come across anything that would work.  

 

Thanks.

 

Eric

[KongaMan]

I'd guess that your best bet is to buy a whole new piece.  It's common to all the first-generation cars.

[RivNut]

16 minutes ago, KongaMan said:

I'd guess that your best bet is to buy a whole new piece.  It's common to all the first-generation cars.

Good advice.  Chances are it's common to a lot of GM cars from that era.

[JZRIV]

Yes get a replacement mechanism. A part that looks very similar is reproduced and for sale by the Chevy/ Pontiac suppliers but I am not sure if they are exactly the same. Maybe someone else will know. Here is one example. http://www.lategreatchevy.com/full-size-chevy-door-opening-mechanisms-bel-air-or-biscayne-1965-1967.html?gclid=CPLchqnFx9ECFUtMDQodzpcBVw

I can tell you on the Rivs with front and rear handles the left front and right rear are interchangeable hence the right front and left rear are interchangeable. Knowing this helps when looking for good used ones.

[KongaMan]

1 hour ago, RivNut said:

Good advice.  Chances are it's common to a lot of GM cars from that era.

Funny thing about that.  I looked it up in the parts books, and all the Buick models have different part numbers.  I would've thought that they were all the same, but...

[1965rivgs]

Do as Jason suggests and purchase a passenger side rear, they are the same...and the rear handles are never worn because they are never used. In fact, be sure the mechanism you buy is free and not rusted solid.

  Tom

PS This is one of the little tricks we used when there was NOTHING available to restore the first gen cars

Edited January 17, 2017 by 1965rivgs (see edit history)

[Eric's.64.Superwildcat]

Success.  I was able to repair the door handle mechanism.  

 

I purchased an assortment of throttle return springs at the local auto parts store.  I used the largest, which was about 7/8" outside diameter.  The unused portion of the spring is in the bottom-right of the photo.  I cut approximately 4 loops from the spring and wound it around the post.  Once complete I bent each end down so it catches on each surface.  It gets zero points for artistry, but its working and I'll be reinstalling the handle mechanism back into service.  I was worried that the tension from this spring would not be enough but it is surprisingly robust.  To be clear it is has less tension than the original - but not by much.  I think it will do a fine job of holding the door paddle in place without it feeling flimsy.  

 

Eric