Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle

Subject: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:18 am

okay its been a minute since i havent post here.. but i have been checking out the site.. okay so my door hadle broke. i took of the door panel and took the the door assy..( thanks jimmyriv rock

) theres a little handle that s connected to the door handle... it goes down and opens the door when u pull the door handle.. that piece broke off... any ideas on with what can i glue it back on.. its not hard metal.. it seems its like made out of this plastic/metal material.. pls help!!

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:06 pm

This is the same as my car. For about the past 5 months I have been going through the passenger door to open up my drivers side door. I need to fix this very soon before winter comes...

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:24 pm

I would glue it with JB Weld. Those high strength expoxies don't seem to hold up to cold temperatures.

Master Joined : 2007-01-16 Post Count : 8054 Merit : 105

This is the outer door handle?

It's like I said, the Riv doesn't have an (outer) door handle, it has a door unlatcher. If you try to swing the door by the unlatcher you are asking for it to break.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:47 pm

I need a picture of what the door handle is supposed to look like... I have my door panel off but I can see how it is supposed to hook to it..

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:42 pm

Jack the R wrote:: the Riv doesn't have an (outer) door handle, it has a door unlatcher. If you try to swing the door by the unlatcher you are asking for it to break.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:46 pm

For parts like that that take lots of stress, I would not trust adhesives. Get a new or used replacement, imo.

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:50 am

Well here is what I did and I finally can open my door like a normal person....

Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle - Page 2 RivieraDoorHandle

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:48 pm

yeahhh!!!! i glued on the piece that was broken with the JB weld.. and so far it worked pretty well!!! that stuff id gooooood!!!

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:09 pm

I mad a bracket just to add extra strength. I was surprised how easy the door panel came off.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:49 pm

This happened to me on SA #10 last week. You are right Jimmy the bolts holding the door handle on are 10 MM. I do know the ’95 is different but I don’t have any details on it right now? I had a scrap piece of stainless steel lying around and a couple of rivets so this was how I did mine. Just thought I’d post my repair in case it would help anyone. I have more step by step pictures, if anyone is interested let me know. Now I just have to get all the broken pieces of the door panel back together so I can reinstall it! This car was really mistreated!
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Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:34 pm

NICE job!!!!

_________________
'05 GTO 6.0L • 6-spd • 95k miles • 0-60: 4.8s • 16.9 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:26

'95 Celica GT 2.2L • 5-spd • 165k miles • 0-60: yes

'98 SC Riviera • 281k miles • 298 HP/370 TQ • 0-60: 5.79s • ET: 13.97 @ 99.28 • 4087 lb • 20.1 avg MPG • Nelson Ledges Lap: 1:30
3.4" pulley • AL104 plugs • 180º t-stat • FWI w/K&N • 1.9:1 rockers • OR pushrods • LS6 valve springs • SLP headers • ZZP fuel rails
KYB GR2 struts • MaxAir shocks • Addco sway bars • UMI bushings • GM STB • Enkei 18" EV5s w/ Dunlop DZ101s • F-body calipers
EBC bluestuff/Hawk HP plus • SS lines • Brembo slotted discs • DHP tuned • Aeroforce • Hidden Hitch
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

'70 Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe 455cid • 116k miles
^^^ SOLD ^^^ frown

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:13 pm

when the curved piece on my handle snapped off, I used small piece of sheet metal and curved it to the shape of the piece and re-secured it to the handle with a bolt on each side of the sheet metal.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:43 pm

Very nice job, Randall..... thumbsup

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:44 pm

excellent work! When mine broke a few years ago I just bought a whole new handle. I know it's just going to happen again in a few years. This looks more like a long-term fix! Nice looking piece!

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:19 pm

AA wrote:: NICE job!!!!

jimmyriv wrote:: Very nice job, Randall.....

deekster_caddy wrote:: excellent work! When mine broke a few years ago I just bought a whole new handle. I know it's just going to happen again in a few years. This looks more like a long-term fix! Nice looking piece!

Thanks

I could have made the countersinks a little flusher but I figured since I didn’t have to worry about aerodynamics for this repair it didn’t matter as much. I think it will pretty much be a permanent fix, I’m pretty sure the stainless won’t cut into the metal piece it pushes against, not in my lifetime anyway!

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:53 pm

Mine broke about a month and a half ago. Have been getting in the car through the passenger door. wink

I just bought a new door handle today and am getting it painted tomorrow.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:10 pm

the bastards that broken into my shit messed my door handle up . i was think about getting my door handles shaved off and lambo doors put on at the sametime. the only thing is i need to rob a bank so that i will have the money to do it........

Subject: Driver side door wont open from the outside... Thu May 01, 2008 4:25 pm

On my wifes 99 Riv the driver side door wont open from the outside. It will open from inside but not from the outside.

Just wondering what I might be in for here.

Bert tavis

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 4:27 pm

Oh boy...well, at least it isn't frozen shut like mine were this winter. When you pull the handle, is it like when the door is locked? Do you hear rattling like something is broken? Does it pull at all? Don't forget that it's not a handle on the outside of our Rivs, it's just an opener.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 6:58 pm

Any tips or info how to get the door panel off without breaking or ruining anything?

So I can order a replacement door "opener" from the dealer?

I might be able to rig up a repair when time allows, meanwhile I need to get the car where the wife can open the door from the outside...

Any of youse guys that want to volunteer to repair the "opener" let me know and I will ship it to you and pay you for the craftsmanship.

Thanks again. clap

Bert

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 7:20 pm

OK, she brought the car home and sure enough it feels like that piece is broken. She said you can hear something rattling around inside the door now...
If I can figure out how to get the door panel off I will post a update...

Bert tavis

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 7:34 pm

99Rivman wrote:: This happened to me on SA #10 last week. You are right Jimmy the bolts holding the door handle on are 10 MM. I do know the ’95 is different but I don’t have any details on it right now? I had a scrap piece of stainless steel lying around and a couple of rivets so this was how I did mine. Just thought I’d post my repair in case it would help anyone. I have more step by step pictures, if anyone is interested let me know. Now I just have to get all the broken pieces of the door panel back together so I can reinstall it! This car was really mistreated!

Was the stainless 1/16" or 1/8" thick ?

If you can send those pics to ibmoses@bellsouth.net it would be greatly appreciated. clap

Also if you have any tips or instructions on how to get the door panel off send or post those...

Thanks

Bert tavis

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 9:36 pm

ibmoses wrote:: Was the stainless 1/16" or 1/8" thick ?

If you can send those pics to ibmoses@bellsouth.net it would be greatly appreciated.

Also if you have any tips or instructions on how to get the door panel off send or post those...

Thanks

Bert

Actually it was less than that, .010" or .020" I think, it doesn't have to be very thick to serve this purpose.
I'll get you the pictures ASAP, does it matter what size they are? Do they need to be reduced or do you have a fast enough connection for me to send them full size?

Removeing the door panel can be found here:
https://rivperformance.editboard.com/interior-f20/interior-door-lights-t317.htm#2618

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 9:48 pm

There is a screw at the top of the door panel under the aft end of the window.

There are 2 screws (TORX T-30) holding the door pullstrap on.

There is a screw behind the inside door handle.

I think that's it - lift up on the door panel; carefully because witht eh scews off it is held on by these brittle pastic hooks. And the electrical wires going to the switches in the door panel. When the door panel is separated from the door, in order to get it all the way off you have to unplug all that stuff. small flatblade screwdriver or a connector tool (like sold by JCWhitney) would help.

The write up probably has these details and more.

Albertj

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