Really? Door handle woes!

[JStrateger]

ok, so a couple weeks ago my drivers door handle broke off at the gas station. My NEW door handle I just put on last winter because the same thing happened. No big deal I guess, I have the passenger side to use until it gets warm outside to fix. Guess what? The passenger broke off last night...

Soooo NOW I have to climb in my hatch. This is beyond ghetto. Anyhow, I'm going to fix the passenger side door handle with one I had laying around. I have a question though, does anyone have a good fix for these door handles that'll last? I remember seeing metal inserts somewhere that are placed in the hinges with JB weld but I think they're discontinued, did this fix not work?
The door handles on my car are off ebay, are the oem more durable and worth the 80 bucks a peice price tag?

These things are pissing me off. I'm about to put door poppers on to use in the winter.

 

[nuclearr]

It would be nice if some one made a cast Iron replacement or even a steel one.

 

[imateo44]

As far as spending $80 on them, go to O'reilly autos web site. They have them on there for $32 and $17

Search for door handle | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

[erickp86]

I buy mines for 11 bucks with free shipping. The one i have one has lasted 8 months now... here is a link

DOOR HANDLE mitsubishi ECLIPSE 99 98 97 96 95 1995 1996 : eBay Motors (item 230424050732 end time Feb-12-10 22:49:28 PST)

 

[JStrateger]

As far as spending $80 on them, go to O'reilly autos web site. They have them on there for $32 and $17

Search for door handle | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Those aren't OEM, I was asking if the oem were better than aftermarket...

I buy mines for 11 bucks with free shipping. The one i have one has lasted 8 months now... here is a link

DOOR HANDLE mitsubishi ECLIPSE 99 98 97 96 95 1995 1996 : eBay Motors (item 230424050732 end time Feb-12-10 22:49:28 PST)

Yeah, those are the same ones that I have on my car. They lasted about 12 months but then broke when it got really cold here.

It would be nice if some one made a cast Iron replacement or even a steel one.

Yeah, that would be nice. I think I'm gonna attempt to create a durable hinge for the handle when I get the broken ones out. I don't remember how the handles go together but I'll check it out when they come out.

Seriously, why would they make the door handles out of suck weak plastic?

 

[Tatiana12]

I'm looking for referrals on a decent fix for the Eclipse door handles and found commentary & bad reviews on cheap, inferior parts.

I also ran across this link: 2G Eclipse, 2G Talon, Avenger, Sebring Door Handle Repair Kit

It looks pretty good. Anyone used this approach or this site for replacements? Searches on the web are not clear on reputation. I've been away from this site so long (haven't needed to fix anything!) that I'm "on probation" as a noobie.

~Tatiana12

PS: I'm back to DSM after a long hiatus. My '98 Spyder Eclipse is still running strong, with a fixed up convertible top (thanks to this Forum in 2005-2006) and new zebra style sun visors, thanks to YouTube. It's more show than go, but I like that the engine continues to purr.

 

[phunny]

I just broke both handles in 2 days... I have 2 new handles and I just purchased the kit in the link. Stronger never hurt IMHO. I for dang sure am tired of being a trunk monkey

 

[auker1]

shave your door handles and forget about it. no seriously i heard something about the linkage in the door has too much play in it. put a bolt or wire in the rod that has a long slot in the end that goes on the latch. i don't have a pic. ill try to find one.

 

[clipto]

4 of mine broke there cheap pos. People always grab the door while it's still locked.

 

[daren_p]

I also ran across this link: 2G Eclipse, 2G Talon, Avenger, Sebring Door Handle Repair Kit

This is the repair kit you want. Forget buying those cheep Ebay replacement handles. The stock ones are known to break & typically the cheep Ebay ones are even worse.

Get this kit, fix your broken stockers & you'll be good to go.

 

[Carney714]

Those are the ones you want, I used them and it came out great!!

 

[Purple_Demon]

Its too bad that nobody has the mold to make the cast aluminum handles any more....Those would have been the best solution possible.

 

[mustracetsi]

Mines broke on me too. All three of my past dsm to. Its dsm signature. Everyo es handle fail. I replaced mines with ebay ones and those to me are better then stock. Haven't had them break since replacement. Also good tip is make sure your door is unlock and do not be aggressive with it pulling the heck out of it. Winter make sure is not ice around it. Little things like this will expannd the longevity of a baddly produce part. Is not the whole unit just the handle peace im sure with the right money and the person willing can fab a metal on.

 

[freshbboy]

i had my drivers side break on me on my old 98 eclipse gs both times the driver side just went to grab it and snap it broke off. There easy to get off but putting new ones in can be a pain. i did remember seeing something on how to fix it so they wont break as easy somewhere ill have to see if i can find it again.

 

[Breezio69]

Both of my handles broke on me over the winter here, I bought the car with a broken passenger side, Ive been through 4 handles between both sides only owning this car a year.

Ive found if you pop the door open with the handle then use the door sill instead of the handle to swing the door open it helps, but Ive still broken them just lifting the handle to pop the door latch.

And dont even get me started on the 5 minute removal and 1+ hour install trying to get those two stupid links in the sleeves.... with only half a hand in the door.

I was thinking the last time I did it about cutting up the door in that area and making a removable panel to be able to work on it with two hands... maybe next time one breaks ill bring out the angle grinder with me?

 

[crash89]

I think yall just need to quit yanking on your door handles.. 6 years Ive never had an issue with my handles breaking. I've needed to put a small bolt in the linkage but never broke one.

Breezio that sounds pretty shitty. I had my handles out to paint my car last year and took me about 5 minutes to put the handles together and install them. Actually now that I think of it I did have the windows out. I can see how it would be kind of a pain.

That link in post 6 does seem like a great fix though!

 

[daren_p]

Or you could just read what I posted in post #10 & be done with it

Our door handles break easily, it's been posted countless times before & will likely be posted about again in the future.

Get the repair kit & you should be set.

My passenger side finally broke after 9 years of having the car. Drivers side was still fine but I know how weak they are & have always been super careful using it. I bought the repair kit posted above. I repaired the broken passenger side & then installed it on the drivers side so I wouldn't have to worry about it breaking in the future. The kits are pretty easy to install & they make the handles feel much more solid. A stock handle will feel abit flimsy vs the moded one.

There are also some removal/install tips on the kit site which will help make the process easier.

 

[keithlag]

I have used the kit to fix my door handles it works really well and I have lambo doors.

 

[iceman510]

These handles are made out of Nylon which gets brittle when it loses moisture. That is why they tend to break in low humidity conditions. Perhaps if the part that breaks was painted completely (I have not personally had to take one apart, so not sure this is possible) they would hold moisture.

 

[GPTourer]

Oooh, man both handles breaking - that'd be a nightmare. My passenger door is still the orginal, my driver's side has been replaced once in the 12 years I've owned the car. If both my handles broke at once I'd just have to abandon my car as I can't get into my hatch most days....

But yeah, I never use the handle as leverage to open the door, just to pop it. And I also never pull on the glass to open or shut it either. Yikes - it makes me cringe whenever I see people do that to frameless doors.