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Discussion Topic:
41 Merc trunk handle issue
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mward |
08-21-2020 @ 2:04 PM
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Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Aug 2020
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The trunk handle does rotate. I had it retracting the latch a couple times, but then I suspect my penetrating oil on the latch worked its way too far up and loosened whatever was allowing the handle shaft to grip the latch shaft. The nut appears to be larger than 1 1/8". I have a crescent wrench that size, and it was a good bit larger than that.
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TomO |
08-21-2020 @ 9:10 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7244
Joined: Oct 2009
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The handle will not rotate unless the key is in the lock and the lock is not locked. Trying to force it will damage the pot metal base for the handle. Removing the nut will allow the handle to be removed. I believe that the nut on my 40 trunk handle is 1 1/8" and I think that your is the same. I will verify it later today. It looks like you can get a straight shot at yours, but an adjustable wrench may be too thick. If you cannot turn the key in the lock, squirt some penetrating oil in the lock and then insret and remove the key many times. Then try turning the key while moving the key up and down.
Tom
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carcrazy |
08-20-2020 @ 2:21 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1597
Joined: Oct 2009
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Are you able to rotate the lock handle? Do you have an adjustable wrench which can accommodate a two inch nut? I would try to insert the wrench through the 1" x 4" slot and attempt to turn the retaining nut one 6th of a revolution at a time until it comes off. Once you have the nut off, the handle should come off. You might have to use some WD-40 or other penetrating oil to loosen it up.
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mward |
08-20-2020 @ 10:10 AM
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Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Aug 2020
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I have my great-grandparents' 41 Merc sedan. Until this year, it was last on the road in 1971. At some point before it was taken off the road, the trunk latch had quit working (evidenced by the fact that there is an old chunk of wood stuck in behind the latch that keeps the trunk from closing completely). I'm not sure if the problem is that the lock is actually locked, and that disconnects something to prevent it from retracting the latch, or if there is a pin missing that should lock the latch shaft into the handle shaft. I would like to take the handle off to see ans well as clean and lube parts, but I can't see how to get a wrench in to loosen the retaining nut on the back of the handle. It looks like it's just about a 2" retaining nut, and the design of the door doesn't have a cover that can be taken off to access it. The only access is a 1" by just over 4" slot on the opposite side from the latch. I've attached a couple images of the mechanism. The two screws visible when showing the latch shaft and the license plate light don't hold a cover. They appear to hold the latch assembly in place within the compartment.
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