SECTION 2-A 1959 BUICK FRONT AND REAR DOORS

2-1 DESCRIPTION

Extensive changes have been incorporated in the 1959 Buick front and rear doors. These changes, in most instances, require new and varied service procedures. The primary items of importance, due to their differences in design, removal and installation, are as follows:

  1. 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Inside Handles (Varies with Particular Series)
  2. 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Trim Assembly (Varies with Particular Series)
  3. 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Weatherstrip Assembly
  4. 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Window Adjustments
  5. 1959 Buick Front Door Ventilator Assembly
  6. 1959 Buick Rear Door Window and Window Guide Cams

The entire door section has been divided into the following parts:

  1. Service operations which are the same or similar for both 1959 Buick front and rear doors.
  2. Service operations for the front door.
  3. Service operations for the rear door.

 

2-2 1959 BUICK FRONT AND REAR DOOR INSIDE REMOTE CONTROL HANDLE (All Electra Models except Convertibles)

1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Inside Remote Control Handle Removal

  1. Remove screws securing arm rest front escutcheon to arm rest assembly and remove escutcheon.
  2. Depress trim assembly, then using a spring removing tool, or other suitable tool, remove spring from handle and remove handle from regulator spindle.

1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Inside Remote Control Handle Install

To install inside handle, first install retaining spring to handle; then position handle on spindle, push handle until spring is engaged.

NOTE:   Install handle at same angle as handle on opposite door.

 

2-3 1959 BUICK FRONT DOOR INSIDE REMOTE CONTROL HANDLE (Electra Convertibles)

1959 Buick Front Door Inside Remote Control Handle Removal

  1. Remove door trim assembly.
  2. Using a spring removing tool, or other suitable tool, remove spring from handle and remove handle from regulator spindle.

Front Door Inside Remote Control Handle Install

  1. To install inside handle, first install retaining spring to handle.
  2. Then position handle on spindle, push handle until spring is engaged.
    NOTE: Install handle at same angle as handle on opposite door.

 

2-4 FRONT AND/OR REAR DOOR TRIM ASSEMBLY

Removal of 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Trim Assembly

  1. Remove door inside locking rod knob. On all styles except 4767, remove inside handles.
  2. On 4719, 4737,4739, 4829 and 4839 styles, at underside of arm rest, remove screws securing arm rest to door inner panel.
  3. On 4767 styles, remove door arm rest remote control plate and cover assembly and arm rest finishing cup attaching screws.
  4. On all other styles, remove door arm rest assembly.
  5. Along lower edge of trim assembly and at upper front corner on front doors, remove screws securing trim assembly to door inner panel.
  6. With a clean rubber mallet tap trim assembly along front and rear edge to free trim assembly retaining nails in slots.
  7. Place a suitable flat-bladed tool between water deflector and door trim assembly at lower edge of trim assembly. Working upward, carefully loosen front and rear of trim assembly from door inner panel.
    NOTE: Exercise extreme care so as not to disturb inner panel water deflector.
  8. Lift trim assembly upwards and carefully disengage trim from top of door inner panel ; then remove trim assembly from door.
    NOTE : On styles equipped with electric window regulators and/or electric ventilators, after trim assembly is disengaged from top of door inner panel, disconnect switch terminal block from switch assembly.

Installation of 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Trim Assembly

To install, reverse removal procedure. Broken retaining nails should be replaced with repair tabs, which are available as service parts.

 

2-5 1959 BUICK FRONT AND REAR DOOR LOCK STRIKER

Removal and Installation of 1959 Buick Front and Rear Door Lock Striker

  1. With a pencil, mark position of striker on body pillar.
  2. Remove three (3) door lock striker attaching screws and remove striker and adjusting plates from pillar.
  3. To install, place striker and adjusting plates within marks on pillar and tighten screws.
    IMPORTANT: Whenever a door has been removed and installed, or realigned, the door SHOULD NOT be closed completely until a visual check is made to determine if the lock extension will engage in striker notch. Where required, door lock striker emergency spacers should be installed so that door can be closed and an accurate check made to determine emergency spacer requirements.

1959 Buick Door Lock Striker Adjustments

  1. To adjust striker up or down or in or out loosen striker plate attaching screws and shift striker and adjusting plates as required, then tighten screws.
  2. DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR USE OF DOOR LOCK STRIKER EMERGENCY SPACERS.
    • Door(s) should be properly aligned before checking door spacer requirements.
    • To determine if door lock striker emergency spacers are required, apply modeling clay or body caulking compound in door lock striker notch where lock extension engages and then close door to form a measurable impression in the clay or caulking compound, as shown in Fig. 2-1.
      1959 Buick Striker Engagement Check

      1959 Buick Striker Engagement Check

When dimension “A” from inside face of striker teeth to center of lock extension is less than 3/16″, install emergency spacers and proper length striker attaching screws as indicated.