The spring that holdes the door latch in the lock position on the driver's side of my truck broke. I have done some searching with the aftermarket suppliers and have not seen one or even a reproduction latch. Anyone have any ideas where I can get a spring that works? I can't lock the truck without it.

Thanks,

 

Unfortunately, You're kinda scrooged!

No one makes those AFAIK. Question, do you have the lock mechanism that provides for an outside door lock or just the "flip of the handle" inside lock. Reason I ask is because you can pick up a whole lock mechanism for fairly cheep if it DOESN'T have the provision for the outside door lock.

If you do have the outside door lock then you can buy a lock that doesn't have it and transplant the spring into yours. Finding a drivers side set up with the outside lock is getting VERY tough. I had one, and have had three guys ask to buy it. Unfortunately, it seems to have walked away on it's own.

Good Luck,
Julie

Ps found this on e-bay maybe it would work or could be adapted as well.
eBay Motors: 1947-52 Chevrolet 1948 Ford Pass & Trk Dr. Lock Spring (item 280039101865 end time Mar-05-09 07:03:38 PST)

 

Julie, the link to the eBay auction is for the spring for the exterior door handle.

I believe what 464Saloon is asking about is the spring for the interior door handle that goes in the triangle shaped area of the door latch mechanism.

Here's what the mechanism looks like without the spring:


And here it is with the spring:


Both pictures are of the backside of the assembly.

AFAIK, no one reproduces this spring. I have found spring that match closely, but they do not fit.

If you happen to find a reproduction by any chance, please let us know. Most of us can use a replacement.

 

Yep, I remember this discussion from about a month ago and remembered what you said about the springs - not nowhere. I am currently testing a number of springs to try and adapt one. If I find one I can modify and have it fit, I'll make up a bunch.

Wasn't sure about the e-bay springs. Every now and then folks do sell hard to get stuff.

J!

 

That's the spring I need. Yes it is the driver's side and it does not have the outside key lock. If it did I wouldn't be that worried as I could lock it that way. The guy at Vintage Ford in Anaheim CA thinks a car latch spring may work. I am heading there Saturday with my latches to see what we can come up with. I'll let you guys know. What does AFAIK mean?

 

Let us know if that works!

Thanks
J!

 

SUCCESS!!!!

Found one there that looked really close. It is made by Vintique for 1932 to 1940 (Go figure) Part number is B-702268. It is slightly different but I just got it all back in the truck and it works perfectly.

 

Thanks Rob - that's great news and good to know for the future.

 

Where did you get it from (vendor)? Any pictures of it before you put the assembly back in the truck?

 

I got the spring from Vintage Ford Parts in Anaheim CA. I didn't take any pictures. The only real difference is it is a little lighter gauge steel but it may be better technology. The bend on the side opposite the cam is a little straighter but that actually makes it easier to install which still takes a little convincing to get in. Once in I used some vise grips to bend it for a tighter fit, but it worked the same without doing that.

 

I think I may have the same spring. In fact, I have a few of them. I remember finding a similar spring on Ebay, only to find out that I couldn't fit it easily. I didn't mess with the spring any further. Now I don't even remember where I put them. When I find them, I'll try again.

 

Thanks Julie, thats the right spring. I have already taken the rest of the door lock in the bolt end apart and cleaned it up with the pics you had earlier but I couldn't find any abot the inside handle spring. Thanks again