Flexing door handle area

[My78truck]

Hello all. I have noticed that the metal on the door at the door handle small end (opposite of the push button) flexes a little. It doesn't happen on the passenger side. I will attribute this to the fact that due to that door being used more (as in by me! ;D) and the pulling on it over 43 years is has caused the issue. Is there some way to support this?
Thanks

 

[bucket]

There's a support flange/bracket/doohickey attached to the backside of the door skin, for handle support. It may be coming loose and no longer providing good support.

One of my trucks does the same thing on the driver door, but I have never got around to looking into the actual cause of it.

 

[My78truck]

Thanks, yes, I have seen that. Didn't mess with it, but will check it. I do not recall seeing one on passenger side.

 

[Itali83]

Aftermarket doors don’t have the support and are much more flimsy. That may be your issue.

Ben

 

[My78truck]

Aftermarket doors don’t have the support and are much more flimsy. That may be your issue.

Ben

Fortunately, this is an original door. I have seen the support inside the door. I am going to check it and make sure it is solid. Thanks though.

 

[Scott91370]

Both sides on mine do it. I don't remember seeing a support. Or maybe I do, is it just an extra piece of sheet metal attached so the skin is twice as thick?

 

[My78truck]

Both sides on mine do it. I don't remember seeing a support. Or maybe I do, is it just an extra piece of sheet metal attached so the skin is twice as thick?

If you ever have your interior door panels off look for it at the back of where the exterior door handle attaches. You can also use a flashlight and look down the window channel with the window rolled down.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Scott91370]

Ok, mine does have that.

 

[My78truck]

Well, as long as my handle doesnt pull off in my hand, I'm good. Just have to put more "pull" on latch end. We call know what happens when you bend metal too much in one spot!!!

 

[Grit dog]

If you like your door and your truck and it’s not messed up yet, then why not just reinforce it?
If that pic is the bolt in question ( I don’t have what the inside of a squarebody door looks like memorized…) then put a fender washer behind the bolt head or make a simple little plate to spread the load even more.

 

[My78truck]

If you like your door and your truck and it’s not messed up yet, then why not just reinforce it?
If that pic is the bolt in question ( I don’t have what the inside of a squarebody door looks like memorized…) then put a fender washer behind the bolt head or make a simple little plate to spread the load even more.

I will have to try something. Maybe a short, thin bar behind the bolt.

 

[My78truck]

Okay. I fixed it. From what I can figure out, the "reinforcing place" is not flat against the outer skin thus causing some flexing. Using a large fender washer did not help. So...........I took a 4" mending plate and pushed it long ways up under the lower lip of the plate and voila!!!! No more flex. Since the plate is not removable, I used a generous amount of some Gorilla glue along the top edge towards the outer skin. Once that is cured, I can go back and apply some epoxy along the bottom edge so it doesn't fall out. Can not eve see it. HEY!!!! What ever works!!!!!!!!