door handles...how to!

[KENS89LX]

I just ordered a new set of door handles for my 89 stang, but they did'nt have the rivets, whats the next best thing or should I get rivets, and does it take a "special gun" to install these? I was told there was!

 

[86bluecobra]

yes it takes a special gun they are way bigger then your average rivet. I just used short machine screws with lock washers. so far they have been on for 3 years and not come loose. give it a try it worked for me.

 

[88306stang]

I got stainless bolts with lock washers and nuts on the inside. You get bolts that fit in the holes where the rivets go. Mine have been on that way for alnost 2 yrs and no problems. Get stainless bolts so they dont rust.

 

[86bluecobra]

i think mine are brass actually. they wont rust either.

 

[Vinnietbird]

I used the stainless bolts also.Eventually,these handles will break also (third set in 11 years),so they'll be easier to swap.

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

I used the stainless bolts also.Eventually,these handles will break also (third set in 11 years),so they'll be easier to swap.

So happens in my case (1 set in 16 yrs) and they really didn't need to be replaced then and they wouldn't have been had I not painted the car and taken the outside door handles off.
So in my opinion get the OEM 1/4"rivets, which is what I installed after my car was painted.

 

[old_blue]

I used allen headed bolts that were pretty flat with washers, nuts and a little bit of the blue lock tite. no worries on my end.

 

[Shakerhood]

Its no big deal to install 1/4" rivets.

 

[BlackLX5.0]

I just bought a new set of door handles for my mustang. How does the inside door panels come off? Do they just pop on and off or no? I dont want to try and then break them lol, Thanks for the help. :SNSign:

 

[Euphoric306]

pop on n off with the little plastic panel rivet things. just pull on the door panel, but be sure you have things like the side view mirror inside cover, door handle bezel, and arm rest removed

 

[MahFiVeOh]

I used carriage bolts (rounded head) and those "lock" nuts with the nylon ring on em, i forget what they call em.

 

[MahFiVeOh]

What the.......double post.

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

I just bought a new set of door handles for my mustang. How does the inside door panels come off? Do they just pop on and off or no? I dont want to try and then break them lol, Thanks for the help. :SNSign:

Remove the inside door panels by removing all the screws and pop the panel off the push pins.
View attachment 481833

Remove the exterior handle by drilling out the rivets and doing this.
View attachment 481835