Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle

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
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^^^ 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

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu May 01, 2008 10:37 pm

99Rivman wrote:

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

Thanks for the links. You can send the pics full size.
I will start looking for some metal to use on the broken piece.
Thanks again. clap

Bert

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Fri May 02, 2008 12:11 am

It took me 5 minutes to take the door panel off, replaced the window motor and panel put back on in 15 minutes. Lots of pieces and clips fell out but with all the sound insulation everything is still nice and quiet.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Wed May 06, 2009 4:52 pm

The door handle on my dads Park Avenue just broke. I headed to the site and found this solution and now we're in the process of fixing the problem. What an invaluable site this is. Great work Ridin-Rivi and thanks! yay

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:24 pm

Anyone recommend a place to get a door handle that is prepainted?

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Feb 18, 2010 10:26 pm

GMFreak8 wrote:: Anyone recommend a place to get a door handle that is prepainted?

My assumption was the dealer or try monsterpartsonline.com and e-mail patrick directly with the correct paint code and see if he can supply you one for a discount. I don't know if they deal in things like that with their normal discount, but it's worth a shot. If it's being ordered from the factory i don't see why they wouldn't be able to do it.
No matter where you order from your going to need the paint code.
Now your next question is where do you find the paint code.??? All I know is there is a placard (sticker) under your spare tire cover that has a bazzillion codes and one of them is the paint code. When i needed to know what mine was to order some paint I went to the local / friendly body shop and asked them to tell me which number was the paint code.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:11 pm

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

And now we see another of the benefits of a bench seat.... lmao

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:12 pm

Rickw wrote:

GMFreak8 wrote:: Anyone recommend a place to get a door handle that is prepainted?

My assumption was the dealer or try monsterpartsonline.com and e-mail patrick directly with the correct paint code and see if he can supply you one for a discount. I don't know if they deal in things like that with their normal discount, but it's worth a shot. If it's being ordered from the factory i don't see why they wouldn't be able to do it.
No matter where you order from your going to need the paint code.
Now your next question is where do you find the paint code.??? All I know is there is a placard (sticker) under your spare tire cover that has a bazzillion codes and one of them is the paint code. When i needed to know what mine was to order some paint I went to the local / friendly body shop and asked them to tell me which number was the paint code.

Ordered one online for $30.10 shipped. Just going to have the body shop guy I deal with paint it. I have some Pearl White PPG paint left over from when I got the hood painted.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:14 pm

Eldo wrote:

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

And now we see another of the benefits of a bench seat.... lmao

Yup. The center console sure does get in the way of crawling into the drivers side seat among other things. You just can't cuddle and "drive" like you used to be able to with a bench seat.

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:02 am

UGH!

Got cold, my handle popped, now I am diving over the console.

Anyone have a maroon 98 style drivers side?

Subject: Re: Write-Up: Fixing Outside Door Handle Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:16 pm

I just joined the "Dive over the passengers seat" club!
I guess I will have to dig into it...
Damn, anyone have a link to removing the door panel without breaking all the clips?
I searched but no luck...

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