Both Door Handles Broke.

90' LX 5.0

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
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So both my door handles are still physicalliy there, but it feels like there is nothing attached to them. Door still opens fine from the inside. So do I just have to buy replacement exterior door handles?
 
Sounds like the stock plastic handles finally gave out.

Be sure to get the metal replacement parts.
They last much longer.
I think Latemodel Resto has them for about $25 each?

You can also use carriage bolts to secure the new handles, instead of the crappy stock pop rivets.

I had to use a file to 'square' the mounting holes in the handles for the carriage bolts to work, but I think it was well worth the time.

jason
 
What size carriage bolts do I need?

I think they are 1/4" diameter?
I would say about an inch long would be plenty. Just make sure you aren't going to hit the window when it comes down.
The ones I picked up were 2 inch or more, and I just hack sawed them down.



I need to do this with the driver door on my LX now too, maybe I can do a writeup with pics?

I'm kinda surprised that no one else has chipped in some info on this, as I know I'm not the only one to have done it...

jason
 
I replaced both my handles with the metal ones when my drivers side handle finally broke.I ended up using carriage bolts also instead of rivots, i used those "nylon" lock nuts for the inside so they dont vibrate loose.Not a hard job to do at all....have fun!
 
I have a similar issue. The inside passenger side door handle is not opening from the inside and the door handle on the outside you have to push in to the left to open the door.

I have the new exterior metal door handles from Latemodel Resto, however does anyone have a clue why the door wouldn't open from the inside? :shrug:
 
I have the new exterior metal door handles from Latemodel Resto, however does anyone have a clue why the door wouldn't open from the inside? :shrug:
There is a metal rod inside the door that can get bent, or a couple of plastic components could have broken.

You will probably have to pull the door panel to inspect it better.
 
"click" don't "pull" on the handles....

my 8 year old brother has figured it out better than most of my friends. It doesn't open nicely the first time and they pull harder. Gotta tell people to just "click" the handle gently and it will open nicely every time :nice:

*knock wood* my handles are still stock. time to replace the power lock switches though. they are being annoooyyying.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! :canada:
 
*knock wood* my handles are still stock. time to replace the power lock switches though. they are being annoooyyying.

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! :canada:

Since it came up...

Sometimes the switches for the windows and locks just get corroded.
A few minutes with some fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth can clear up the corrosion between the contacts.

If that doesn't work...
Pack a handful of tools and hit the junk yard.

Ford reused the Mustang door switches in countless cars in the late 80's and early 90's.


:Word:



PS-
Canadia celebrates New Years too :eek:

:p

Happy New Years!!!!!!
 
Those of you who have replaced the door handle: is removal of the inside door panel necessary? My driver's side handle on my '90 LX recently broke but is still functional IF you push in while pulling up on the handle. I have the replacement parts from 50resto.com and I know you have to drill out the stock rivets. My brother-in-law once had to do this on one of his mustangs and he ended up taking the door panel off for some reason or another (I didn't watch - didn't have my Mustang at the time).
 
Those of you who have replaced the door handle: is removal of the inside door panel necessary? My driver's side handle on my '90 LX recently broke but is still functional IF you push in while pulling up on the handle. I have the replacement parts from 50resto.com and I know you have to drill out the stock rivets. My brother-in-law once had to do this on one of his mustangs and he ended up taking the door panel off for some reason or another (I didn't watch - didn't have my Mustang at the time).

I removed the panels when i changed my handles.It takes less than 10 mins to remove and it makes the job alot easier to do.If your going to use rivets to reattach the handle you might be able to get away without removing the panel....i'm not 100% sure on this because you have to reattach the linkage to the handle.It might be a pain in the azz to do through the small opening from the handle.
IMO....I say remove the panel and save yourself a hassle.:nice:
 
I removed the panels when i changed my handles.It takes less than 10 mins to remove and it makes the job alot easier to do.If your going to use rivets to reattach the handle you might be able to get away without removing the panel....i'm not 100% sure on this because you have to reattach the linkage to the handle.It might be a pain in the azz to do through the small opening from the handle.
IMO....I say remove the panel and save yourself a hassle.:nice:

I concur. Saves a lot of time. :nice: