Door Handle Problems

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

7

58

james island, sc

May 18, 2004

#1

• May 18, 2004

• #1

both my door handles on my 88 broke recently (I guess just worn out?).

At this point I noticed that on my parts cars, all of THEIR handles are broken too

I've got an 86 turbocoupe out back also and both of it's handles are good and look similar. Are they interchangeable with my mustang?

thanks guys

 

87VERT

Founding Member

Aug 1, 1998

1,275

0

0

Toronto,Ontario

May 18, 2004

#2

• May 18, 2004

• #2

Not sure if they're compatible or not but door handles are riveted from the factory. It would be easier just to pick up a set. Aftermarket steel handles usually retail for around $25-$30 a set.

 

blkstangman88

New Member

Apr 6, 2004

646

0

0

May 18, 2004

#3

• May 18, 2004

• #3

make sure to get the steel handles or u wil be buying new door handle everytime u open ur door. i went through 2 pairs b-4 i relized the ones i had were plastic

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

7

58

james island, sc

May 18, 2004

#4

• May 18, 2004

• #4

where can I get these steel handles at?

 

blkstangman88

New Member

Apr 6, 2004

646

0

0

May 18, 2004

#5

• May 18, 2004

• #5

stangparts.com or 50resto.com are good places

 

plastic_cow

New Member

Sep 10, 2003

146

0

0

Oshkosh, WI

May 18, 2004

#6

• May 18, 2004

• #6

or an ebay buy it now... that's where I got mine...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2479244945&category=33642
for example... just search mustang door handles, don't buy anything unless its steel... I too have gone through my share of the plastic bastards

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

7

58

james island, sc

May 18, 2004

#7

• May 18, 2004

• #7

oh ok, didn't know some were plastic haha. So they are pop riveted to the doors and not held on by screws? what do I do, drill out the pop rivets? keep drilling and then replace with nut/bolt combo?

how much are the steel handles straight from the dealer?

 

plastic_cow

New Member

Sep 10, 2003

146

0

0

Oshkosh, WI

May 18, 2004

#8

• May 18, 2004

• #8

Pop rivets... and I had to drill em out... sometimes, if your lucky you can bend the metal off the backside of the rivets and just pull the handle out, but if not, kick back and have a cold one... it took me forever to get mine off... arg!

Then again, I am kind'a an idot when it comes to cars

 

B

blk92stangg

New Member

Jan 30, 2004

583

0

0

Hawaii

May 18, 2004

#9

• May 18, 2004

• #9

If you buy on ebay, make sure the come with the rivets!!! Or, conversely, you can use short stainless steel bolts and nylon lock nuts instead. If you go the rivet route, you may need to mail order the monster rivet gun if you can't find one locally. Its humongous, and you won't find it at you local hardware store ( at least not here in Hawaii).

 

astronut1885

Founding Member

Jan 31, 2002

1,899

4

39

Assonet, MA

May 18, 2004

#10

• May 18, 2004

• #10

I got steel ones on Ebay, drilled the rivets on my old ones, then bolted the new ones on using carriage bolts. The key to carriage bolts is that they have round tops, so no one can unscrew or unbolt them to get into my door and break in. Regular bolts can be taken out, then someone can pop your lock and open the door and steal your car. Use carriage bolts! To put them on I simply slid the bolt through the handle and door, put the nut on the thread, screwed it on a bit by hand, grabbed some vicegrips, locked onto the end of the threads, and tightened the nuts with an open end wrench. Instantly theft proof bolt-on handles.

 

8

89lxsport50

10 Year Member

Feb 25, 2003

550

5

39

Franklin Tennessee

May 19, 2004

#11

• May 19, 2004

• #11

If you want to use the rivets and don't have the big rivet gun, just stop by a body shop and they will pop them on for you. The Ford dealer did mine for free.

 

zidane45

New Member

Dec 26, 2003

55

0

0

charleston,SC

May 19, 2004

#12

• May 19, 2004

• #12

to get the old ones off. Take your door panel off from the inside. Put your windows up and use an air powered or whatever type you have hand grinder with a grind plate on it. Take off the back of the rivets and when your done take a hammer and a long philips screwdriver and pop the old ones out. I bought my gun at harbor freight just down the road here in charleston for like 12 bucks. Only took me like 20 minutes a door but i already had all my panels off from doing other resto studd. Latemodel restoration is place to go. They have great service and awesome prices.