Drivers side door handle 99 Burb

[DieselDavey]

Hello,

Has anyone had the pleasure of replacing the interior drivers side door handle?

I started to tear the door apart, thinking that something had just come loose, then I saw that the handle was actually broken where it must connect to a rod of some sort...

I'm ordering a new handle today from Car-Stuff.com...

I had great difficulty getting the connectors loose from all the door switches. Did not get them all off before I quit and put the whole damn thing back together.

Any advise or things I should be aware of?

I'm definitely going to lubricate the window mechanisms and anything else I see in there that needs some grease...

Thanks

[DmaxMaverick]

When you do this, also replace all the push/pull rod plastic connectors. If you don't have them on hand, you'll likely break them during the R/R (my luck). They become brittle over time.

There's really nothing special about changing the door handle. The first time, you'll have to drill the rivet off. The new handle won't have a replacement fastener (unless they changed something in the last couple years). You'll have to install with a new rivet (nearly impossible, due to access), a sheet metal screw, or a nut/bolt (barely long enough to work).

Good idea on the lube job. Waterproof silicone grease is the best stuff for this. Heavy motorcycle chain lube is also good (really sticky and won't run away), and is usually applied with a straw, like WD40 (handy for not making a mess, or not as much of a mess).

Your handle broke where most of them do. Not an uncommon issue.

[DieselDavey]

Thanks again,

Opening that door up sure seemed a mystery. Nothing came up on searches here and nothing specific about it (or schematics) on alldatadiy.com... I just had to rip it apart.

Sounds like the rivets are the unforeseen gremlin on this one... guess I'll have to play it by ear... Once I get the replacement handle and try to put it back together, maybe God will grant me that I happen to have the exact size bolt and nut to put it back together.

I'll try to post what I came up with so the next poor soul who searches this issue may find an answer.

Thanks!

[DmaxMaverick]

Not much clearance where the rivet is (was). You'll need a 1/2" long sheet metal screw or a 1/2" bolt w/ nut. Either about 3/16" dia. The rivet is at the rear of the handle assy. It isn't difficult, and should appear pretty simple once you get a close look at it.

[HammerWerf]

I just did this same job about 6 months age. dealership did the first one under warrenty. They used a sheet metal screw to replace the rivit.

All I did was loose the panel from the door, lift it off the top (where the window wiper is ), and look at how it was assembled,( I don't think I disconnected any of the electricals) took it apart, put in new handle, reset the screw, and reassemble. Just pay attention and it should go well.

Now my driver side rear door handle is starting to act up.

HammerWerf

[DieselDavey]

Thanks everyone! I'll let ya know how it turned out.

[DieselDavey]

Wanted to let you know the repair went very easy!

I did not get to lubricate all the inner door mechanisms. I did not want to take off the steel door panel without further research... Turns out I got the research... Hands on...

I had to replace the drivers side window on my 95 chevy pickup... That door is the same thing as my Burb. The steel track for the regulators (the arms that regulate the up/down hight of the window) completely rotted out. The window was a bit more tricky than the door handle... but I got it figured out without drilling out all of the rivets.

If anyone needs help with how to replace the window, please let me know. I'll be happy to help. The procedure is too much to type out right now.

I purchased a window from a junkyard. Total cost for repair: $53.00!

Thanks again!