azdave
15+ Year Contributor
- 502
- 23
- Nov 25, 2003
-
Gilbert,
Arizona
Thanks for the mention of my repair kit ($10 donated to DSMtuners). It is a permanent repair solution for anyone who has door handles painted to match the body color since there is no repainting involved.
I have always told people if you are smart enough to get the old handle out of the door you are certainly smart enough to use the repair kit. If you have limited access to tools or no area to work on your car then dropping in a black ebay handle is probably the best solution for you.
The non-OEM handles on ebay have authentically reproduced the same stress riser found in the design of the OEM handle hinges. Great job (sarcasm). This is the one time you wish they hadn't copied a part exactly the same.
Even if you don't use my repair kit, please check out these photos of how to remove the handle.
2G door handle removal tips
There is no easy way to reach the 10mm bolt next to the key cylinder. It take dexterity and a little patience.
After pulling the cylinder retainer clip and getting the two 10mm bolts out I do have one trick to help remove the door latch push-down rod. That involves temporarily removing the Torx bolts to the door latch itself. Once those bolts are out you can raise and lower the latch within the door so the rod can be accesses from outside the car. The little plastic clip is not easy to access inside the door but it is much easier once the door handle has been pulled away from the door handle hole.
I have always told people if you are smart enough to get the old handle out of the door you are certainly smart enough to use the repair kit. If you have limited access to tools or no area to work on your car then dropping in a black ebay handle is probably the best solution for you.
The non-OEM handles on ebay have authentically reproduced the same stress riser found in the design of the OEM handle hinges. Great job (sarcasm). This is the one time you wish they hadn't copied a part exactly the same.
Even if you don't use my repair kit, please check out these photos of how to remove the handle.
2G door handle removal tips
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There is no easy way to reach the 10mm bolt next to the key cylinder. It take dexterity and a little patience.
After pulling the cylinder retainer clip and getting the two 10mm bolts out I do have one trick to help remove the door latch push-down rod. That involves temporarily removing the Torx bolts to the door latch itself. Once those bolts are out you can raise and lower the latch within the door so the rod can be accesses from outside the car. The little plastic clip is not easy to access inside the door but it is much easier once the door handle has been pulled away from the door handle hole.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.