Builds 1984 Root Beer in Vermont - Build

[Seth S]

I think, @Ian Crawford fixed his in some funky way...

I could probably safety wire it or make a little bronze bushing for it and then use a C clip to keep it from backing out. But was just hoping I could get a new clip. Have to imagine these break all the time in our aging trucks.

I just took the rear door apart to just steal its clip but it’s got a different setup.

 

[Seth S]

Or maybe even the hardware store has a hatted plastic bushing and c clip that would work if I could get it on. Hmmm.

 

[Seth S]

I figured out a low budget quick fix. I can move the rod to the other side so the force pushes the clip into place and not out of place. Unfortunately the handle still isn’t working. But now I see the base is cracked so I also need a new handle.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

@Comet was it you or Ian?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

@Seth S i have the photo he tagged to me how to fix it but it’s a ways back in my pictures on my phone and I can’t seerxh now. Later I can try.

 

[Seth S]

I am curious what their fix was. It looks like a new Toyota handle comes with the clip so that’s a small win I guess

 

[Seth_O]

You can purchase door rod clips from Toyota. I bought several different sizes and just keep them on hand.

Not that expensive iirc.

 

[Comet]

Funky to the rescue. Worked like butter! Thanks for the shout out @NeverGiveUpYota

Minus the eye-bolt, I just used things I had on hand. If I were to do again, I would use lock tight on the course thread.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Funky to the rescue. Worked like butter! Thanks for the shout out @NeverGiveUpYota

View attachment 2036219

Minus the eye-bolt, I just used things I had on hand. If I were to do again, I would use lock tight on the course thread.

Haha! I saved it again as I went looking last night but it wasn’t on my phone anymore! Thanks @Comet!

 

[Ian Crawford]

@NeverGiveUpYota It wasn't me, I think it was @Comet ?

Mine is getting really close to needing to be repaired.

 

[Ian Crawford]

LOL wow. You guys beat me to it. Should've read on....

 

[Seth S]

Funky to the rescue. Worked like butter! Thanks for the shout out @NeverGiveUpYota

View attachment 2036219

Minus the eye-bolt, I just used things I had on hand. If I were to do again, I would use lock tight on the course thread.

Nice! I was imagining something like this but I hadn't come up with a solution and the eye bolt is a great idea. Unfortunately the second time I was looking at the handle I noticed it was cracked:

i'm sure JB weld could hold it together for a little while or possibly a small bead of weld but this looks like cheap metal and likely welds poorly. A new handle was $58 and comes with a clip by the looks of it so when that gets here hopefully problem solved for now.

 

[Seth S]

I think a really simple fix for the linkage is to use the existing thread on pin and slide a plastic bushing over it with a small hat to seat on the handle arm then put a C-clip over the indented area of the pin. That way the pin fits tighter on the arm and the bushing wears out vs metal/metal contact. I'll swing by the hardware store this afternoon and see if there are any plastic bushings that are close to the right size as well as c clips. It would be really great to have a simple robust fix that uses a minimal amount of hardware.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Nice! I was imagining something like this but I hadn't come up with a solution and the eye bolt is a great idea. Unfortunately the second time I was looking at the handle I noticed it was cracked:

View attachment 2036285

i'm sure JB weld could hold it together for a little while or possibly a small bead of weld but this looks like cheap metal and likely welds poorly. A new handle was $58 and comes with a clip by the looks of it so when that gets here hopefully problem solved for now.

Pot metal is crap. Good you found new. JB probably wouldn’t hold it either for long.

 

[Seth S]

Spent some time in the hardware store and found a nylon bushing that’s about a perfect fit to the hole in the door handle. I need to drill the inner hole a little larger to fit the stock door pin. I also picked up some washers and a c clip.

 

[Seth S]

Simple fix iteration 1:

 

[Seth S]

Not shown is a very small c clip holding the bushing on and it’s a little tricky to pop into place.

Handle still doesn’t work but I suspect the cracked base isn’t helping. The bushing slides around during movement so might need another spacer on the rod side but overall I think it shows as a possible fix. Parts cost about $1

 

[Seth S]

New door handle arrived and the new plastic clip looks similar to my repair attempt.

 

[Seth S]

While at the hardware store the other day buying things to fix the door I noticed the wet pavement was looking like an oil slick. I checked the level and it was down about a half and I also noted some pooling oil in the freeze plugs on top of the head. Had noticed hot oil smells more often recently. So a good chance the prehistoric valve cover gasket was finally evolving from pliable rubber to arthritic calcite.

Tonight I pulled the cover and sure enough gasket was amazing. Amazing all the oil didn’t come out. Cleaned the cover and the mating surface and put the new gasket in. Cover back in place now but want to check the valves still. Tomorrow hopefully.

 

[FJACS]

The door handles really take a beating when the rubber bumpers are missing.