Not handling the cold?

[Jonathan]

There seems to be a bunch of owners having their door handles break recently. I'd assume it is related to the cold weather for the most part. What I was curious about was whether these broken door handles are all the plastic ones, or if any of the broken ones are the metal replacements?

So here's a poll question:

If you've broken your door handles (and not just recently, but in the past too), were they the plastic or metal ones when they broke?

[DMCMW Dave]

There seems to be a bunch of owners having their door handles break recently. I'd assume it is related to the cold weather for the most part. What I was curious about was whether these broken door handles are all the plastic ones, or if any of the broken ones are the metal replacements?

So here's a poll question:

If you've broken your door handles (and not just recently, but in the past too), were they the plastic or metal ones when they broke?

From my perspective, we've probably replaced exactly ONE metal handle (where the hinge pin failed). I've never seen one break. We've replaced a dozen or so broken plastic handles, and probably hundreds of non-broken ones pre-emptively.

[dn010]

I broke plastic ones, never had an issue with the metal replacements while living in upstate New York for years.

[davidc89]

Plastic. Currently mine are both broken... trying to figure out how to open ...

[alexwolf1216]

Just replaced my plastic drivers handle. The new metal one went on like a breeze and feels great.

[DavidProehl]

Where is the "Still rockin' the plastic handles and going strong!" option? I did 4 Minnesota winters without issue. Though I left it covered in the garage for 95% of the winter so that may have something to do with it.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

A shot of spray grease on each pivot spring before each winter goes a long way towards preserving the original handles. Ice in this area is what will kill them in an instant.
Rob Grady


Where is the "Still rockin' the plastic handles and going strong!" option? I did 4 Minnesota winters without issue. Though I left it covered in the garage for 95% of the winter so that may have something to do with it.

[Henrik]

Just replaced my plastic drivers handle. The new metal one went on like a breeze and feels great.

+1.

My plastic door handle on the passenger side gave in last year under the most benign of conditions: Warm temps and a gentle pull on the handle. No abuse or jerking. It just let go. 33 years of fatigue and UV depletion I figured. I am happy with the metal ditto.

[Patrick C]

My plastic door handle on the passenger side gave in last year under the most benign of conditions: Warm temps and a gentle pull on the handle. No abuse or jerking. It just let go. 33 years of fatigue and UV depletion I figured. I am happy with the metal ditto.

Mine broke the same way.

[Jonathan]

Good feedback. I was hoping/assuming the consensus would be that the plastic ones break and the metal ones don't. Maybe another thing to mention to new owners or guys looking to buy to keep an eye out for? Not that its going to be the first thing on the list, but one of those pre-emptive upgrades, like Dave mentioned, similar to changing out the original plastic coolant tank.

[Dangermouse]

oops

I need to change my vote. I just realized that the passenger door handle that broke on mine was in fact metal. At the hinge pin as Dave mentioned.

After I voted plastic, it kept nagging at the back of my mind until I went and checked. Both were replaced in 2001, before my time with the car.

[DMCMW Dave]

oops

I need to change my vote. I just realized that the passenger door handle that broke on mine was in fact metal. At the hinge pin as Dave mentioned.

After I voted plastic, it kept nagging at the back of my mind until I went and checked. Both were replaced in 2001, before my time with the car.

Before maybe 2004(?) the door handles were sold as "just the handle" and you had to re-use or fabricate pins. Not quite optimum, now they are sold as a complete unit including the bracket and springs and hinge pins completely assembled.

[Rich W]

Before maybe 2004(?) the door handles were sold as "just the handle" and you had to re-use or fabricate pins. Not quite optimum, now they are sold as a complete unit including the bracket and springs and hinge pins completely assembled.

I think the parts were before 2002, since DMCH "All Metal" Door Handles were one of the first new parts I installed on the DeLorean 4x4
once it arrived in Illinois back in 2002. Not sure if I installed the door handles before or after Dave Swingle helped me install some used
interior parts on the doors, after I had some of the wavy-ness taken out of the outer door panels by a paint-less dent removal company.

IIRC, I know I broke one or two of the re-worked handles between the late 1990's and the early 2000's. I may still have one unused kit.

[David T]

The new style door handles are one of the best items DMCH has had made so far. A BIG improvement and almost no negative comments (at least none I have heard). About the only complaint is the price. Much better to hear that one than to hear you can't get any!

[Jonathan]

The new style door handles are one of the best items DMCH has had made so far. A BIG improvement and almost no negative comments (at least none I have heard). About the only complaint is the price. Much better to hear that one than to hear you can't get any!

You know you're a DeLorean owner when...

You see the price of a part you need listed as $0.00 and know it's the most expensive thing on the page.

I can think of a lot of things I go shopping for that I'd be thrilled to see they cost "nothing." DeLorean parts are not one of them :)

[David T]

You know you're a DeLorean owner when...

You see the price of a part you need listed as $0.00 and know it's the most expensive thing on the page.

I can think of a lot of things I go shopping for that I'd be thrilled to see they cost "nothing." DeLorean parts are not one of them :)

For an orphan Marque we are blessed with a generous inventory of parts, new AND old. Just about any other limited production, obsolete, orphan Marque has no inventory of parts. They have to scratch up parts either from cross/overs, parts cars, or have them made. You don't know how good we have it! It is a blessing AND a curse. Because parts are so readily available and relatively cheap. it is one of the reasons the price of a Delorean is low. It is still possible to buy a POS and fix it up and still be under market price. If parts were not so easy to get and/or were a LOT more expensive you WOULD see higher prices for the nicer cars.