Door handle question

[ForsakenLash]

Ok, so the time has come to replace the drivers side door handle on my 97 RS. My question is, is there a trick to getting the screw inside the door out? Ive tried a wrench but it doesnt seem to want to move at all.... is their an easier way to get it out?

 

[2gHiBoost]

Not really any tricks that I know of. I always break it loose with the wrench and then use my fingers to back it all the way out. Same, in reverse, goes for putting it back in.

 

[Warborg]

Also helps to have someone with small hands around... I just had to do a door handle on my '98 GS, and even though I got the screw out just fine (just need a 10mm box-end wrench to loosen it), but was having a heck of a time putting it back in... My daughter has hands like half the size of mine, she came out and had it threaded in a couple minutes, then just used the box end to tightened up (very little room to move, so it does awhile). Also, instead of trying to hook up the rods with the handle installed in the door, I removed the 3 torx screws from the door latch and dropped it too so I could pull all the rods outside the door to hook them up, made it MUCH easier...

 

[NHerron]

Before you install the new one, take it apart and modify the spring. Use a dremel and 'thin' out the spring -ie make the coiled section a smaller OD. This lightens the spring tension. The handles aren't weak it's just the spring is too strong and causes the linkage arm to bend over time and eventually you're bending the handle so the linkage moves enough to pop the door. Eventually the plastic breaks. Spring doesn't need be so heavy, it's only to return the handle flush with the body.

 

[c2ypt1c]

Ah man, I feel your pain. I've broken three handles over the years and can pretty much replace them in 10min now haha. For the inner screw, I use a smaller length wrench (about 4in. in length) then back it out with my fingers. I don't see why you would have so much trouble loosening it up

Guess now is a good time to mention DORMAN handles (on amazon) are legit. Perfect fit and quality, I'm very happy with them.

 

[ForsakenLash]

I think my problem may be a combo of fat hands and the wrench is too long. Im gonna have to jerry rig it with a wire hanger for now till i can order a new one on payday.... but I would rather have a ghetto door handle then have to climb through my passenger side door

 

[mustracetsi]

Might well just open and push out door through passenger door than rigging. Reason you going spend a lot of time trying rig that to even work. Rod to open door is press down to open not pull. If you going rig it. Easy way is to cut a hole big enough on the handle its self close to edge of door so you can grab the rod and push it down. Or disconnect rods and both screws put some Velcro to keep door handle look and stay on car then when comes time pull handle off push rod down put Velcro door handle back. Like I said just go passenger side pull handle and push door open. Door handle ships quick I got mine in three days. Ebay standard shipping.

 

[ForsakenLash]

Yeah I actually thought about that after I posted.... guess im just gonna have to do the passenger door till I can order a new one. Although someone gave me the idea to run a piece of cord from the interior handle to the trunk and just pop the hatch and open it that way ... thought it was kinda funny

 

[spike2gdsm]

I no on my 97 gs my door handle wouldnt open. But i found a little trick to put a small size screw in the hole where the rod goes up n down. My door works like new again

 

[ForsakenLash]

Ok, so I got my new DORMAN handle, got it installed, and now there is a gap on the bottom of the handle and the door? everything is tightened down properly and went back together easy enough... did I do something wrong?

 

[NHerron]

Sometimes there is plastic casting leftover that keeps handle from sitting flush. Like my upgrade OEM handles for my Sierra, just look. And since you'll likely have to take it off again, might consider modifying that spring. It really makes a big difference, the entire stock handle system sucks, the 'plastic' gets a bad rep because its 'plastic'. Nothing to do with the 'plastic'

 

[ForsakenLash]

Only thing I can think of is the rubber seal. Everything on the handle was smooth and looked identical to the OEM handle. Just worried about water getting into the door, but I guess I can always use some type of black silicon sealant if I cant get it flush.

As for the spring on the handle its smaller and doesnt feel as stiff as the stock one, how do you modify it?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Sometimes there is plastic casting leftover that keeps handle from sitting flush. Like my upgrade OEM handles for my Sierra, just look. And since you'll likely have to take it off again, might consider modifying that spring. It really makes a big difference, the entire stock handle system sucks, the 'plastic' gets a bad rep because its 'plastic'. Nothing to do with the 'plastic'

As for the spring on the handle its smaller and doesnt feel as stiff as the stock one, how do you modify it?

X2. I'm about to replace 2x door handles on two DSMs and I'm wondering what you mean. My blue Talon needs an entire latch assembly because it's so tight it bends the metal tab on the cheap ass eBay special door handle. I'm going to order dorman handles x4 and see if they're made of tougher stuff.

 

[bryanwheat]

X2. I'm about to replace 2x door handles on two DSMs and I'm wondering what you mean. My blue Talon needs an entire latch assembly because it's so tight it bends the metal tab on the cheap ass eBay special door handle. I'm going to order dorman handles x4 and see if they're made of tougher stuff.

The dorman handles are the same as the chinese ebay ones. They usually fit like crap, and are cheaply made.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Damn it. So OEM is the only way to go, eh?

 

[bryanwheat]

Damn it. So OEM is the only way to go, eh?

They will work just fine, but it won't last as long as an oem, and doesn't fit well.

 

[NHerron]

X2. I'm about to replace 2x door handles on two DSMs and I'm wondering what you mean. My blue Talon needs an entire latch assembly because it's so tight it bends the metal tab on the cheap ass eBay special door handle. I'm going to order dorman handles x4 and see if they're made of tougher stuff.

That's the tab I'm talking about. The tab can't take what the spring dishes out over and over.

Just take apart the handle, to isolate the spring. Then take a dremel and grind down the springs' outside diameter until it gets easier to twist the spring. Then temporarily put the handle together and see if you like how easy the handle pull is.

BTW If "..grind down the springs' outside diameter" is confusing, picture a Marb red cigarette (about the O.D. of said spring). Then picture a Virginia slim cig. By grinding the overall od, makes each coil thinner, in turn weaker overall spring.