Getting a handle on it
The door handle on the driver's side of the Lincoln broke. HA-HA .... i mean oh-no! Poor Sean was reaching thru the passenger side for at least a week to open it, and might be still if i hadn't helped convince him to pick up a new handle at the dealer last Saturday. I tried to look it up on the net, and told him it would only be about $20. ooops. I think he spent about $100, and we didn't even use the entire piece (his choice).
Here is a pic of the housing which we didn't use, and i believe that is the broken door handle next to it, and a pack of hardware parts needed to install.
The new handle was also primer gray, so Sean had to paint it to match the silvery car. It was cold out, so he warmed the paint in warm water beefore shaking, and heated a small area in the garage with the high intensity work-station lamp. It came out to a very near match in color. I'm not sure why i don't have any completed pictures... I suppose i could run out and take one, but it's just a door handle.... that works now :D
More pics.
View image
View image these are of me realizing how easy it is to take the panel off, after trying unsuccessfully to remove it the same way every other panel was put on for at least 20yrs. I only broke 1 clip on the panel and one on the interior handle trim. Hardly noticeable, I swear. I can also guarantee the guys at the Ford dealership did the same thing the first time they saw one like this, and you never know when you'll get a rookie.
Here is what appears to be the inside of the door. Again, Sean took the pics. I cant see really what I'm looking at there, so don't expect you to. Much of the inside work was done by braille.
View image
Last, we have me trying to remove the last rod holding the broken piece of the handle to the door:
View image
So,
it's all back together now. Works great, Sean doesn't have to look like a slacker getting in on the wrong side, and everyone is happy.