The door is an important element for a car because it keeps you safe from any accident also protects other elements inside the car. You cannot drive your car much if the door is open and it is extremely dangerous.
One of the main elements of a car door is its handle. It is almost impossible to open a door if there is no door handle. A door handle can be broken or damage over time. So it is needed to repair the car door handle as soon as possible.
The car door handle is the most ignorant part of a car. But the importance is bigger. You can not fix the door handle if you do not know how to do it.
Fix Car Door Handle 101
Going to a professional is not the best solution and it is time-consuming too. This article will help you to know how to fix a car door handle.
What You Need
- A new replacement handle (different car model has a different door handle, so purchase exact door handle for your car)
- Screwdriver
- Rubber mallet
- Masking tape
- Towel
- Socket wrench
Fixing Process
Purchase a New Handle
Before start fixing, purchase a new door handle depending on your car model. The company provides you both ends or one end fasteners with it. Also if the car door has an automatic locking system, purchase electrical door handles that are matched with your car.
A new door handle means you have to use a new key. You can use the previous key just use the lock cylinder of the new handle. If your previous door handle is analog and you want to use an automatic lock system handle, search in the car company if they have it for your car.
Keep the Window Down
If your car door is already locked, unlock it and roll the window down. Although the fixing procedure is almost the same as a different car, but if you have power windows, you do not need to remove the window rolling button.
Unscrew the Inside Door Panel
Go to the inside door panel and take a small screw. Push the four lines plastic part of the handle with your screwdriver so it can loosen up. You will see a black color nut inside it. Now take a drilling screwdriver and open the nut.
Remove the Inside Door Panel
Most of the car has the same design inside door handle cover. Taking off the upper part is easy. Just push it up carefully so that other parts won’t break. After removing the cover, again take the drilling screwdriver and unscrew the two main nuts and put that in a safe place. Now tug the bottom part of the whole door panel and take it off. If your car has electrical wires attached to the door panel, remove them properly. Do not damage the door panel clips otherwise, it won’t fit tightly.
After removing the door panel, you will see a plastic cover on the mechanism. Remove it only the door handle part.
Unscrew the Door Handle Nut
The handle section is attached to the door with nuts. Unscrew them with a screwdriver. There have four screws that hold the handle. You can roll up the window temporarily to work better.
Pops Off the Handle
Go outside the car and close the door. Take the towel and set it beside the broken handle. Now take the screwdriver on the towel and start prying the handle. The towel will prevent your car from scratch. Push the handle with the screwdriver and the handle will come off. Also, take out the broken piece of the door handle.
Install the New Handle
Get the new handle and set it in the outside handlebar. After setting the handle, the door will start working.
Reassemble
Now we have to reassemble it. attach the small part of the handle in the door. You will see a little round part in there which you have to attach in the door. But if it is loose, use glue in there. Just set it and pinch a little to completely fit in the door. Check the door functionality a couple of times to make sure the door is working properly.
Set the window rolling handle properly. Check the door handle if it is working properly with the new mechanism. Now attach the interior door panel and screw all the nut tightly.
How Much does it Cost to Fix a Door Handle?
The costing depends on what to repair and how many parts to repair. Interior and exterior door handles are slightly different because interior parts are weaker than the exterior. But the repairing cost of the interior and exterior door handle is almost the same. Each part of the interior door handles will be $20 or more. But if the car is luxurious, it will cost you at least 200$.
Also, you can use second hand parts for your door handle. It will cost you less. The exterior door handle parts will cost you $20, if you want to repaint it, you have to spend $150 or more. And the door lock cylinder will be $50.
How to Open a Car Door with Broken Outside Handle?
Sometimes it is difficult and hazardous things to open a car door if the handle is broken. It could happen at any time. What if you are going for a vacation but you can not open the door? In this case, you need to know how to open a door when the handle is broken.
When the outside handle is broken, you have to remove the inside panel to get access to the latch which is located at the inside door jamb. Now take the seat out and disconnect the battery because the passenger seat has a body control module so the battery should be disconnected when you are working. After that, go down the backseat and disconnect it from the floor. Just give a little force so the clip will come out.
Take off the bolt with a socket. After removing the seat, you will see door connectors down there. Disconnect all the connectors. Take off the panel and the clip of the handle. You will see a bolt behind it. remove the whole system and pull the door off. After removing the plastic casing, you will see the door latch. Move the door lock cable to know if there is any problem.
Now manually pry on the lock so the car door can open.
Important Fact About Door Handle
Sometimes your door may seem slippery when you try to open it. In that case, replace the door handle or paint it to work better. Also, inspect the door handle regularly. If there is any scratch or any loosen nuts, do not ignore it. Over time, you have to add some new parts too. Also, replacing the door handle is more better than repairing it.
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