Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

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nippaero
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Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by nippaero »

Is there such a thing? lol. I had to remove both door panels today in preparation for my new airtex panels. I was trying to use a small screwdriver and a little pick. Those little buggers can be challenging to remove. What do you guys use?
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by cessna170bdriver »

There is such a tool available on the cheap at auto parts stores. I'd send a photo, but I haven't needed mine in about 6 years, and after my move I have no idea where it might be.
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

door handle spring clip tool.jpg
A door handle spring clip tool like this one is available at many auto parts stores. You must determine which direction your clip is and use the tool to push the clip out. The slot in the tool needs to be wide enough to clear the slot and thin enough to fit into the door handle slot yet narrow enough to catch the clip tangs. Once you have the door handle of you can easily make a tool out of aluminum sheet stock.

I personally use a hooked pick.
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canav8
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by canav8 »

A shop rag. slide it between the panel and the handle. pull rag around the shaft and it will catch the ends of the clip and pull it out. No special tool necessary.
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bagarre
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by bagarre »

canav8 wrote:A shop rag. slide it between the panel and the handle. pull rag around the shaft and it will catch the ends of the clip and pull it out. No special tool necessary.
But, it's an opportunity to buy more tools. How can you pass that up?
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

canav8 wrote:A shop rag. slide it between the panel and the handle. pull rag around the shaft and it will catch the ends of the clip and pull it out. No special tool necessary.
You know what I need to do. Get out my door handle retainer clip removal tools and put a note on them to use a darn shop rag. This way I can justify keeping the removal tool around. :?
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nippaero
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by nippaero »

Thanks for the suggestions guys!
1952 170B
N8180A s/n 25032
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by 170C »

Never heard of the shop rag "tool", but sounds good to me. I used to use a small, flat blade screwdriver to , hopefully, push the ends of the clip out of its slots. Later I found, as Bruce said, that a small pick with a curve or "L" on the end works fine. Mine came from Harbor Freight Aircraft Tool Supply. Best of all the picks come in a set of 3-4 different end styles and they are GREEN :mrgreen:
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GAHorn
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by GAHorn »

canav8 wrote:A shop rag. slide it between the panel and the handle. pull rag around the shaft and it will catch the ends of the clip and pull it out. No special tool necessary.
OOOOOOOOOHHH....... I LIKE THAT!

(I have the "tool"...but it is a real trick to use even when you know how.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
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DaveF
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Re: Best tool to remove door handle retainer clip?

Post by DaveF »

I couldn’t get the rag trick to work so I made a tool from a scrap of .032” aluminum.
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