Piper Cherokee Interior Door Handle Trim Removal

[P51P28]

Hi all. What is the procedure for taking this piece of plastic off around the door handle? Don’t wanna snap the plastic and cracking it. Any tips? Thanks a lot

 

[Arrow76R]

I have the same kind of handle in my '69 Arrow and have been told (not verified!) that if you pull the latch all the way open there is a set screw that becomes visible which, when un-screwed, lets the entire handle come out of the door. I am planning an interior re-do this summer and that issue had me stymied but the Piper Owners forum provided that info. Please post when you have been successful!!

 

[P51P28]

Thanks for the input Jim. We didn't end up seeing a set screw after all. Upon further research we found the door handle to be very similar to the ones put in a VW Karmann Ghia/Bug. We slightly heated up the plastic, stuck a flat head screwdriver in, and slowly worked out the black plastic back plate. Once the plate was off, a screw appeared that held the rest of handle trim to the panel. After the screw was removed, the rest of silver trim came off and then, the door panel. The pictures explain it all. We initially thought the thing just snapped off but we didn't want to make any "get the thing off as fast we can" decisions to crack the plastic.

 

[Arrow76R]

Wonderful!!! Thanks a WHOLE HEAP for the photos!!! Now I can proceed.

 

[P51P28]

You're welcome sir. Always take as many pictures as you can is our motto