Inside door release help

The base goes inside the door - just the handle post sticks inside the cabin and is exposed.

That's what I figured. It wouldn't make sense being on the outside and having the rod on the outside as well.  Now look at the pic of the assembly I posted and tell me how it's supposed to mount. The post with the splines should be on the other side shouldn't it?

You can actually mount it either way, inside the door or on the surface, depending on how inset the center rib on the door inner is.  Often times, mounted inside like shown by Wolfgang will pull the door panel in too far, just depends on  how it all sits...

If you surface mount you just have to use spacers on the back side of the bolts so it sits nice and true.

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@JoeyLegos , one thing that can be confusing if you're comparing parts in hand to an assembly diagram, is that these door handle mounts are made in mirror image pairs — there's a left and a right as per the photo.

I had to replace one of these a few months ago and remember thinking you could install either one on the 'wrong' side of the car, depending which way you wanted the handle to rotate to open the door (clockwise or counter-clockwise).

Also, it looks like you've got the same EMPI part I have. I was replacing it because, after 10 years, the splined shaft broke. It turned out to be made of pot metal, not steel, so a gentle touch when opening the door is not a bad idea.

Cheers.

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@Sacto Mitch thank you for the advice. I didn't know these were parts. One of them locks and the other one doesn't so I made need replace one anyways. Where did you get yours from?

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Joey, we have a VW parts shop here in Sacramento (Bugformance) that had the EMPI part in stock.

I see that Cip1 lists them in their online catalog at this link.

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And the lock rod just screws into the actual door itself at the bottom?

Look here:

https://www.speedsterowners.co...9533/FiberFabA-1.pdf

only calls for 1/4" screws.

My build manual says 1" long by 1/4 bolts with counter sunk heads.

And here's one mounted as Cary pointed out -- inside the car.  Appears to be a VS.