Door handle replacement
#1
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Car: 1992 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Door handle replacement
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.
#2
On Probation
Re: Door handle replacement
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 !
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 !
#5
Supreme Member
Re: Door handle replacement
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.
#6
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Car: 1987 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LB9 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip, possibly 2.73
Re: Door handle replacement
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.
#7
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Car: '91 GTA, '92 T/A Convertible
Engine: GTA: 350 w/Vortec heads, T/A: 305
Transmission: Pro-built 700R4
Axle/Gears: GTA: 3.27, T/A: 2.73
Re: Door handle replacement
Super easy replacement. Once you get the door panel off, you'll see how easy it will be.
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#8
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Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 350
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Re: Door handle replacement
On my old TA i used the replacements from 1aauto. They were so much nicer. 20 years of wear really beat these things up!
#9
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Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Door handle replacement
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?
#10
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Re: Door handle replacement
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?
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
#13
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Car: 1987 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI modified
Transmission: 700R4 modified
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Door handle replacement
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.
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.
#14
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Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Door handle replacement
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).
#15
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Car: 1987 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI modified
Transmission: 700R4 modified
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Door handle replacement
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.
#16
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Car: 1987 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI modified
Transmission: 700R4 modified
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Door handle replacement
Got the rivet out & handle off. Just waitin for handle to come in
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