Door Handle Problems

[stackz]

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]

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]

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]

where can I get these steel handles at?

 

[blkstangman88]

stangparts.com or 50resto.com are good places

 

[plastic_cow]

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]

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]

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

 

[blk92stangg]

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]

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.

 

[89lxsport50]

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]

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.