Handles: install w/o scratching

[rodo]

When I removed, or attempted to remove them, last year, I noticed they are too fat at the key end. Had to wrestle it out. Worried about putting them back in after paint and, indeed, the first couple of tries I managed to scratch a tiny bit. For sure the, ahem, Italian engineering, can be frustrating but this just seemed stupid. Why? How? Right, so the solution: insert the front of the door handle in, the only way one can install it, and then, carefully, operate the latch as if you were opening the door. It will push the fat part of the inner workings away from the handle and give one enough room to just slightly tilt the handle. Bam. No forcing, no grinding, no worries, just a perfect and gentle installation.

I'm kind of feeling right now like I should be awarded some sort of medal.

[wetminkey]

COOL!
A number of times, in restoring all types of vehicles, I have found there to be small tricks to installation or removal of parts. Most of the time the information is lost as the years pass. That's why restoration and project threads can be so valuable.
Good of you to post it here to make it searchable! Thanks! I'll know how to install when it comes time,...
Imagine how many owners your post will help,...quite the medal you earned! Congrats.
Again, thanks for making the info searchable here.
Todd.