My drivers side door handle broke the other day and I got a replacement from the parts store. I haven't gotten around to replacing it yet but plan on doing it this weekend. I was wondering if any of you have done this, so I don't run into any surprises.

 

Nothing too it !

Leave window up.
Remove door panel.
Unhook door lock release rod.
Get a 7/16 wrench and remove the 2 "nuts" (actually cheap speed nuts)
that hold the handle to door body.
Remove old handle.

Reverse procedure in install new handle.

I will note that some factory and most repop handles will not have threaded
studs that hold the nuts to secure the handle to the body
just a unthreaded metal post so that a ordinary "self threading speed nut"
is used to secure the handle to the body.

In most cases you will have to re-use your old handles speed nuts so
don't lose them !

 

Just drill out the old rivets- pop I the new ones! Easy...!

 

Alrighty! Thanks guys!!

 

Just make sure you don't bend the rod that attaches to it when removing/installing the handle -- I accidentally bent mine so bad while replacing it that it won't even fit in its factory black plastic channel anymore.

 

A couple weeks ago, I attempted to open my door, it was frozen shut. Guess I pulled a little too hard on the handle, ripped it right off. I will be doing this replacement for my drivers door handle within the week as well.

 

Super easy replacement. Once you get the door panel off, you'll see how easy it will be.

 

On my old TA i used the replacements from 1aauto. They were so much nicer. 20 years of wear really beat these things up!

 

I did this replacement too an it is as easy as everyone says. I couldn't get the whole door panel off though, the plastic piece that runs across the top - I couldn't figure out how to remove it. So I propped the door panel up with a bar, and it bends a bit. How do you get the whole panel off?

 

Pics in the following post, especially #10, may be helpful in replacing the handle:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...servation.html

To remove the black plastic piece, roll the window down, press in on the plastic and pull upward. The post above with show pics of the three (or four) places where the piece in question is held in place.

JamesC

 

JamesC
What book(s) do you have with all the assembly pics?

 

My GM shop manual has many diagrams. I also have a 82-91 Parts and Illustration Manual as well as an 86 Camaro Assembly manual.

JamesC

 

hi,
im trying to replace my inside door handles in my GTA. i got the door panel off, and am looking at the handle in side the door. i see a bolt or rivet holding it in place. do i unscrew it or drill it out and replace it with my own. i cant see the head so cant tell if it is a pop rivet or a screw. Many thanks in advance for any help.

 

You have to drill out that rivet and replace on your own. I actually only had a 1 inch long bolt and and nut and it still didn't hit the window, so you can use whatever you need to get the new handle back on (nut & bolt, new rivet, shoulder screw).

 

Thank you for the advise. i figured it was a pop rivet, but it looks threaded from the front of the door. gotta git the new handle 1st.

 

Got the rivet out & handle off. Just waitin for handle to come in