Plastic to metal conversion - How-To (with pics)
08-24-12, 08:41 PM
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Plastic to metal conversion - How-To (with pics)
Cheers!
I picked up my (new to me) 92 SC400 about 2 weeks ago. I am still doing the title waiting game. But in the mean time -there are a few things that need fixing. One is what looks as though it may be a common problem with SC cars and it is the crappy plastic door pull handles:
Both of them were broken -which makes getting out of the car a bit tough when the doors are closed.
So -now that I am into the SC game -and I look a little harder now when I pass by LS400 or SC400 cars -I noticed that the metal door handles on the LS looked very similar in shape to the SC handles and so I snagged a few from the local PAP. The LS pivot pins have a push retainer on one end that needs to be folded back and removed so the pin can be extracted. get the handle, plastic bushing pieces, plastic push rod snap pivots and the pivot pin for both sides:
Here is the pivot pin on the SC handle:
Here is my very favorite tool now for about 35 years (not this same exact one though):
Use the dremel to grind away the smashed end of the pivot pin (not the head end) and be careful not to grind away too much material from the frame:
You will need similar tools to knock the pivot pin out:
Removing the SC pin:
From this point grab the head and pull it out. Be careful not to let the sprung handle kick you somewhere that it might hurt. Brace the parts to keep them from putting out an eye as the spring unleashes. I kept my punch in the holes because it retained the handle from flying out:
Dissassembled:
Remove the rubber stop pad before removing handle or it can get sheered off. I discovered this on my first attempt. I will have to pick up another rubber piece on the next trip to PAP.
The tab with the hole where the rubber snubber went might need to be bent slightly to adjust where the metal handle stops at:
Below are the two pins compared. The LS pin is on top and it has a longer end where the push retainer goes and also an extrusion on the head end:
Use the Dremel to remove the extrusion from the head of the LS pin because there is low head clearance on the SC handle assembly:
on the bottom inner flange of the plastic surround -you will have to cut some out as shown so that the pin can dangle down there. The top should stay in place because the upper plastic flange butts up against the pin head:
Now just assemble it, install and enjoy:
Keep an eye out for more How-to segments from UZinator Fabricator!
MP
I picked up my (new to me) 92 SC400 about 2 weeks ago. I am still doing the title waiting game. But in the mean time -there are a few things that need fixing. One is what looks as though it may be a common problem with SC cars and it is the crappy plastic door pull handles:
Both of them were broken -which makes getting out of the car a bit tough when the doors are closed.
So -now that I am into the SC game -and I look a little harder now when I pass by LS400 or SC400 cars -I noticed that the metal door handles on the LS looked very similar in shape to the SC handles and so I snagged a few from the local PAP. The LS pivot pins have a push retainer on one end that needs to be folded back and removed so the pin can be extracted. get the handle, plastic bushing pieces, plastic push rod snap pivots and the pivot pin for both sides:
Here is the pivot pin on the SC handle:
Here is my very favorite tool now for about 35 years (not this same exact one though):
Use the dremel to grind away the smashed end of the pivot pin (not the head end) and be careful not to grind away too much material from the frame:
You will need similar tools to knock the pivot pin out:
Removing the SC pin:
From this point grab the head and pull it out. Be careful not to let the sprung handle kick you somewhere that it might hurt. Brace the parts to keep them from putting out an eye as the spring unleashes. I kept my punch in the holes because it retained the handle from flying out:
Dissassembled:
Remove the rubber stop pad before removing handle or it can get sheered off. I discovered this on my first attempt. I will have to pick up another rubber piece on the next trip to PAP.
The tab with the hole where the rubber snubber went might need to be bent slightly to adjust where the metal handle stops at:
Below are the two pins compared. The LS pin is on top and it has a longer end where the push retainer goes and also an extrusion on the head end:
Use the Dremel to remove the extrusion from the head of the LS pin because there is low head clearance on the SC handle assembly:
on the bottom inner flange of the plastic surround -you will have to cut some out as shown so that the pin can dangle down there. The top should stay in place because the upper plastic flange butts up against the pin head:
Now just assemble it, install and enjoy:
Keep an eye out for more How-to segments from UZinator Fabricator!
MP
Last edited by UZinator; 08-24-12 at 08:47 PM.
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08-25-12, 02:20 PM
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More DIY's from the Alabama people.. lol
Great write up on this. I have read this thread on here awhile back, BUT not like these pictures and steps!
Great job.. Kick off is in a few days... Roll Tide!!!
Great write up on this. I have read this thread on here awhile back, BUT not like these pictures and steps!
Great job.. Kick off is in a few days... Roll Tide!!!
08-25-12, 03:29 PM
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I have to take care of the typical door leaks that cause water in the floor boards and wet carpet. I have come up with a good idea on that one so perhaps that might be the next DIY that I post up.
I couldn't afford a SC400 in good condition because my bank won't loan for a car this old. So I had to pick up a re-builder. It is rough but very doable. The engine runs good but there is no throttle control. The drive-by-wire stuff is all out of wack.
Last edited by UZinator; 08-25-12 at 03:32 PM.