Door handle

[steve6864]

Is there a you tube video available for installing the exterior door handle.I was stuck inside my "D" the other day.I took off the door panel and shortened the travel of the rod to the front latch and it worked!!Then I got out of the car,closed the door to make sure I hadn`t compromised how it opens from the outside and the handle had no resistance at all.So,of course,it doesn`t open now.I peered into the abyss and saw no activation,rods moving or anything.It seems as though a plastic part broke.How hard is a door handle install?The blow up of the part at Delorean.com wasn`t helpful and my manual is at a friends house.Thanks,Steve6864.

[stevedmc]

Door handles are easy to replace and DMCH sells a high quality metal door handle. In my opinion it is a must that you replace these. Do yourself a favor and replace both at the same time.

I believe DMCH has an article on their support website with installation instructions.

Give DMCMW a call and Julie will hook you up.

[jawn101]

The install is pretty easy. The nuts are a little tough to get on the studs so have a magnet handy to retrieve them if you drop. The reason you have no resistance on the handle is because the cable has either broken or come unhooked, so make sure it's not broken before you put in a parts order. I can't imagine it would break though.

[stevedmc]

I can't imagine it would break though.

Why wouldn't 30 year old plastic break?

[Dangermouse]

Steve, I think he means the cable not the handle.

[jawn101]

Steve, I think he means the cable not the handle.

Indeed I do.

[stevedmc]

Indeed I do.

Stupid me. Sorry.

I'm still an advocate of at least buying a set of those handles and carrying them in the car until the plastic ones break. They will break.

[dmc6960]

Why wouldn't 30 year old plastic break?

My 30 year old, 120k+ mile, and mildly sun exposed handles have never broke. In fact, right now I'm finishing up major interior door work. I'm planning on not needing to go back into my doors for 10-15 years. Installing actuators instead of lock solenoids, installing door launchers, modifying the latches to lock while open, adding extensive soundproofing, re-sealing the air vents, painting the trim black and the grey vinyl, replacing all fir-trees. I am not however replacing the plastic door handles. Yea, I'm cursed now.

With exactly what steve6864 described my vote is on the cable becoming disconnected.

[jawn101]

Stupid me. Sorry.

I'm still an advocate of at least buying a set of those handles and carrying them in the car until the plastic ones break. They will break.

I'm with you on that. Just replace them proactively or when they break you'll find that your new set is locked inside the car.

Interesting to note though: I replaced mine a week or two ago and the old ones were metal. They were very old and the studs were all rusty (one had even snapped off, which is why I decided to replace them). Were there metal replacements "back in the day"?

[stevedmc]

My 30 year old, 120k+ mile, and mildly sun exposed handles have never broke.

With regular use they will break. If you use door launchers then yeah, the handles will last a lot longer than normal. To me a reliable set of door handles is worth more than keyless entry. I don't like electronics controlling whether or not I can get out of my car.

[Rich W]

There were a few different types of "door handle repair kits" that were available "back in the day".

IIRC, they came in at least three different types: plastic, aluminum and metal (some pot metal?).

These were available from vendors and at least one of the DeLorean clubs, back in the day.

I have seen numerous types of repairs on DMC door handles over the past 25 years or so.



Were there metal replacements "back in the day"?

[jawn101]

There were a few different types of "door handle repair kits" that were available "back in the day".

IIRC, they came in at least three different types: plastic, aluminum and metal (some pot metal?).

These were available from vendors and at least one of the DeLorean clubs, back in the day.

I have seen numerous types of repairs on DMC door handles over the past 25 years or so.

Cool, thanks Rich. These were metal but didn't seem to be very high quality.

[Tillsy]

What version is DMCH selling? For the price I am presuming it is metal? They list itascan improved part but no details.

[stevedmc]

What version is DMCH selling? For the price I am presuming it is metal? They list itascan improved part but no details.

Metal

[Tillsy]

Metal

Beauty thanks mate!

[stevedmc]

It's a high quality part as well. Just make sure you get it from DMCMW so you get high quality service too.

[jawn101]

It's a high quality part as well. Just make sure you get it from DMCMW so you get high quality service too.

Yeah my new ones were nothing like the junk I had before. Dunno where the old ones came from but the new handles are nicely made and should last the life of the car.