Door Handles for 53MY

[mgernes]

Has anyone had any luck in replacing door handles for the lower passages doors in a 1973 53 MY. I talked to Sam's Marine people and they did not have anything that I could use. The inside treads on the handle are stripped where you tighten the set skrews into the post. I need two of them.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Marcus

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Try drilling them larger and then tapping the holes and using a larger diameter set screw. If you don't want to do it, take it to an auto repair place or a machine shop and they will do it.

 

[mgernes]

Thanks for the advise. I had thought of that but I was worried that if I drilled out the hole to be slightly larger it might cause the handle to crack? Do you think that should be a concern?

Marcus

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I think you will be alright as long as you don't go too much bigger. Only drill it out just enough to get to the next size set screw. And when you drill it, I'd put it in a vise and use a drill press (preferably) on a slow speed so that you don't end up twisting it on an angle as you drill. Use a sharp new bit and plenty of cutting oil. Try one and if it works, then do the rest.

Another thought is to drill all the way through the shaft and pin it through in place of the old set screw. Good luck. Maybe others have actually tried one of these techniques.