broken door handle

[formulabird428]

I knew this would be coming, but on the first snow/icing of the year, my door handle broke on the driver's front door!

I've changed these in the past (and they're a *****!). Two questions:

1. Do you have to go from the inside of the door? I only ask because I looked quickly and thought I saw the head of torx screw. maybe a hope that the handle can be unfastened from the outside?

2. Where do I even find a replacement door handle (aside from a yard)?

[87gtVIC]

I dont know what type of car you have or year but the info below is directed towards '79 to '91 Crown Victoria's and Grand Marquis'

Ebay sells replacements. I put a set on and they are decent. Nice finish and it works like a door handle. Cant ask for much more. They are riveted onto the door. The center of the rivet must be punched out and the rivet drilled out. Unfortunately you have to remove the door panel because a metal rod is connected to the handle inside the door. No real way of aligning that into a new door handle..especially one with a new sturdy bushing. I used stainless phillips head bolts and nylocks to secure my new handles.

[formulabird428]

sorry about lack of info. car is '89 GM.

thanks for the info, i'll order one and put it on!

[rick99601]

like the linkage is broken? or did it actually come off into your hand?

[GM_Guy]

Dorman (aka HELP!) have a replacement door handle. How good they are I couldn't tell you, but if you can't come up with a genuine ford piece it is at least an option.

Alex.

[grandpaslincoln]

The one's on my Lincoln attach with a couple of nuts, I wonder why rivets were thought to be a better idea?

[GM_Guy]

Faster on the production line.
Lower material costs.
If you ever wonder why something is done that makes no sense, see the above two points. Afterall, the car only has to last through warranty and you'll be back to trade it in anyway on a newer model, right? Right?

Alex.

[cld783]

i've had this happen to me before.. i remember reattaching a rod from the inside door panel i think.

maybe not the same scenario??

[marquisman]

does it feel like there is no tention on the handle? it prolly not the handle. the later box mercs and vics are bad for the powerlock actuator for freezing. when this happens, the locking system wont move. cause of this, when you try to pull on the handle, the rod/linkage from the handle to the latch will bend and pop out. iv had this happen lots on my old 88 merc. you will need to remove the door panel and put the rod back into place. also, you will need to check your power locks. i just removed mine from the front doors.