For what its worth, here's some information regarding the enterance door
assembly that I discovered by trial and error last fall. On my 1976 GMC
Transmode, this assembly developed a very annoying trait---namely its
locking mechanism frequently jammed with the door locked closed. This
required a "break in" through one of the side windows to unlock the door
from the inside. Examination of the handle assembly revealed severly
worn parts which would bind and not allow the key and lock cylinder to
operate. I was relieved to see in the GMCI Parts Interchange Index,
Spring 1997 Issue, a listing for a Kenworth Truck handle assembly, part
number35833-000R, as a replacement for the GMC 78Z Parts Book number
716187. Unfortunately, when the local Kenworth dearler produced this
part it would not work as an exact replacement. It is identical in most
respects, except the linkage pivot pin for the inside door handle is
missing from the assembly. The GMC part is a "3 lever asssembly" while
the Kenworth is only a two lever unit. (Unlike the GMC, Kenworth runs a
separate rod to the latch on the door jam, bypassing the outside handle
mechanism entirely.) Also, the lock cylinder cut out is too small for
the GMC cylinder to fit. Perhaps some judicious filing could enlarge
the hole enough to work, but the other problem of the missing pivot pin
would be much harder to overcome with the Kenworth part. When I check
last Fall neither Golby or Cinnabar had a new replacement part. Of
course, the local GMC truck dealer was of no help. I finally located a
used assembley not as worn as my orgingal unit, and after installing it
I no longer am breaking into my coach in parking lots. I suppose that
at one time the Kenworth part may have been the correct replacement and
the ones being manufactured now are of a differnt design, but if that
were the case I would think Kenworth would change the part number in
some way. While running around and researching this, I found that
Peterbilt and Kenworth use the same part and number. I also noted that
the Spring GMCI Parts Interchange Index continues to list this Kenworth
Part.
Phil Stewart
76 Transmode
assembly that I discovered by trial and error last fall. On my 1976 GMC
Transmode, this assembly developed a very annoying trait---namely its
locking mechanism frequently jammed with the door locked closed. This
required a "break in" through one of the side windows to unlock the door
from the inside. Examination of the handle assembly revealed severly
worn parts which would bind and not allow the key and lock cylinder to
operate. I was relieved to see in the GMCI Parts Interchange Index,
Spring 1997 Issue, a listing for a Kenworth Truck handle assembly, part
number35833-000R, as a replacement for the GMC 78Z Parts Book number
716187. Unfortunately, when the local Kenworth dearler produced this
part it would not work as an exact replacement. It is identical in most
respects, except the linkage pivot pin for the inside door handle is
missing from the assembly. The GMC part is a "3 lever asssembly" while
the Kenworth is only a two lever unit. (Unlike the GMC, Kenworth runs a
separate rod to the latch on the door jam, bypassing the outside handle
mechanism entirely.) Also, the lock cylinder cut out is too small for
the GMC cylinder to fit. Perhaps some judicious filing could enlarge
the hole enough to work, but the other problem of the missing pivot pin
would be much harder to overcome with the Kenworth part. When I check
last Fall neither Golby or Cinnabar had a new replacement part. Of
course, the local GMC truck dealer was of no help. I finally located a
used assembley not as worn as my orgingal unit, and after installing it
I no longer am breaking into my coach in parking lots. I suppose that
at one time the Kenworth part may have been the correct replacement and
the ones being manufactured now are of a differnt design, but if that
were the case I would think Kenworth would change the part number in
some way. While running around and researching this, I found that
Peterbilt and Kenworth use the same part and number. I also noted that
the Spring GMCI Parts Interchange Index continues to list this Kenworth
Part.
Phil Stewart
76 Transmode
