1977 Pull Handle

[roadking77]

Inside door handles are one of the weak spots of the Trans Am. When I restored my car a few years ago I put in a 'heavier' duty screw to install them. Worked pretty good for awhile then of course it popped off and required a fix. I threaded the screw back in and again that was good for a year or so. A couple of weeks ago whilst shutting the door, lo and behold the handle popped. Yesterday was beautiful and a good day to fool around in the garage. Wasnt really looking forward to tearing into the door, but the job ended up taking about 20 minutes and that includes 10 min. going back and forth to the other shop looking for a fastener. I tried to run a bolt from the back out and the spring metal plate that acts as a fastener would not line up. So I gave up on that, cut a 10/24 bolt to length and threaded it through from the face and put a nut on the back side. Socked it down tight and hope all is well  now.
For those that may not know, there are 4 screws at the top of the black plastic to remove, 2 screws in the pull cup, remove the lock knob, and a series of plastic clips that attach to the door shell. I left the mirror remote connected and used a bucket for support.
2022-06-19_01-14-34 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2022-06-19_01-14-22 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2022-06-19_01-14-09 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2022-06-19_01-13-57 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2022-06-19_01-13-45 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

[FormTA]

You, know I never even noticed that 77 and earlier cars had that style of door panel.  I'm embarrassed.... but I have only ever had and worked on 79, 80 and 81s. But it looks like a good fix!

[5th T/A]

I had to deal with the same issue decades ago on my 1975 TA. I think I put a larger bolt from the inside of the door and used a speed nut to hold the bolt in place until I could slip the door panel along with assist strap over the bolt. I don’t remember what kind of hardware was used originally, but obviously not good enough for tugging on a hundred-pound door.

[Wallington]

Nice work, any strengthening is a bonus. At least the handle is a fair way back not like the 78-81 versions that are flimsy but also trying to lever the heavy door from near the front.

[gstrandfarm9420]

That looks like a pretty good fix. GM has gotten a little bit better since the 70's, but not much as far as their interior bits and pieces go. I wish we could have Honda design a retro fix for these old F bodies.