Hi, I have to put new exterior door handles on my 1990 Pontiac Firebird ans was wandering if anyone has done that before?? Is it easy to do or very complicated?? Thanks for any help(:

 

Very easy! 2 nuts and a clip that holds the rod for the latch. Pretty sure all the handles are the same and you can even swap in 4th gen handles if you want.

 

Not all of the handles are the same... You need to make sure that the mounting lugs are the same on the replacement as the original. The mounting lugs come in "narrow" and "wide"... IIRC, ours use the narrow style, referring to the width between the lugs. I had to replace one a while ago and ended up returning the handle because it was the wrong one.

And yes, a couple people on here have done the 4th gen handles.

 

Sorry if I am hijacking but I would like to see some pics of 4th gen handles.

Kevin

 

Thanks for the replies. I just wasn't sure if you had to take the door panel off or not cause for some reason I cannot figure out how to get them off.

 

Yes, the panel will have to be removed for access.

JamesC

 

I got the panel off but it seems like its impossible to get to the handle. Part of it is behind the window and there is almost no access to the handle. Sorry if I sound dumb but I'm still trying to learn how to do all this stuff. Could anyone give me a step by step instruction??

 

You have to roll the window all the way up and peel back some of the plastic moisture barrier. Even when the window is all the way up, the glass is still partially blocking the back of the handle but you can use an open ended wrench or a box wrench to get to the nuts holding it on. They're a metric size, somewhere in the 10mm-12mm range, can't remember exactly. The nuts are self-threading nuts holding the handle on, plus the plastic clip holding the rod that goes down to the latch. The plastic clip will snap off easily and the rod will slide out of the handle. Be sure to catch the nuts, you'll need to re-use them on the new handle.

 

Thanks alot. Finally got them on.

 

the 4th gen's look identical to the 3rd gens except they are smooth and dont have the recessed center section. we've got a couple photos of em here to get you an idea:

4th gen handles

Its way down the list of things to do, but I plan on going this route for my own handles when it comes time to swap em out

 

Am I the only one that LIKES the 3rd gen handles over the 4th gen ones? Other than the recessed portion of the 3rd gens being smoothed out for the 4th gens.....Whats the difference?

 

I agree. Third gen are just fine. If I was going to do anything to them I would do the s 10 handle mod. That looks sharp

 

C/K truck handles are the same, only slightly larger. Been there, done that. Wanna do it again to my GTA too.

 

I really like the look of the C/K handles on these cars too, but I am very green when it comes to bodywork and welding. Looks like I gotta start practicing

 

Yeah. I saw yours. Was really nice.

 

Thanks for the pics. I personnally like the third gen ones. Its amazing the similarities between the two cars

 

I prefer 3rd gens with 3rd gen handles as well -- 4th gen handles just look way too smooth for the car.

While we're at it, I also prefer 3rd gens with 100% 3rd gen interiors. Never was a big fan of the 4th gen interior. Way too much plastic.

 

I am trying to replace my outside door handles and I cannot get the metal rod with the red plastic clip out of the existing door handle. The two nuts came off easily, but I can't separate the rod from the handle. The replacement ones I have in hand have a different style clip that swings down compared to what is actually installed in the door where this clip is not used. The rod has a red plastic cover that slides into the hole of the handle that will not come out. Is there a trick to get this out?

 

I hate those blasted clips... Had to replace both handles on my Grand Prix that that those (*&^* things. You're supposed to slip a screwdriver into the bottom of it on one side and lift the tang out of the hole in the lever and then slide it towards the rod before pushing the rod through the hole. It's a real pain. If the new handle comes with the plastic clip, I strongly recommend not using the old parts (except the rod, which slides into the clip).