Repeat the HHR door handle mantra...

"I shall only close my doors with the handhold in the door panel, not the nice shiny handle, that's only for opening the doors."

Say that to yourself, and have your family members repeat it a few dozen times egadgetguy, and you'll never break another door handle again.

I've even had my wife Michelle repeating it after she snapped off three handles in six months, the repair kits are great(and cheap compared to a $450 door panel), but not breaking the handles is better.

 

A quick tip reminder for those doing a repair (not a replacement): if it is a front door handle that you are going to repair, swap the rear handle on that side to the front as long as it is in good shape.

And before installing that rear handle into the front door, you may want to fill some of the open gaps in that handle with some JB Weld to help reinforce it as well.

That gives you time to do the repair on the broken one and replace it later at your leisure, and install it in the rear door (it should last longer being the rear handles are typically used a lot less frequently).

 

Hmmm....whopper, after all these years, and owning four of these Trucklets, moving the handles from the back doors to the fronts never even entered my mind.

Another case of being outsmarted by a wily Canadian, should have known we were being skunked by your country's subtle genious when you gave us "The Red Green Show", "Corner Gas", "Dan for Mayor", and "Super Dave Osborne".

 

LOL - Red Green (pure genius stuff). I only thought of it as I wanted a day or two to repair the broken/cracked handle, and didn't want to do a NASCAR entry/exit over that tall door sill. Getting too old for that stuff. :)

 

I've done the NASCAR deal out the window of the Panel when the latch jammed in the driver's door, it's possible, but it ain't pretty bud.

 

UPdate. Went with replacement Too much trouble to epoxy.

 

Good move!! Now remember!! The mantra!! Shiny handle open door! Armrest door pull pocket to close door, there's a good HHR owner!
Now if I could just train my passengers that!!
Maybe repetitive treats for the correct mannerisms, like Sheldon and Penny?




I wonder if this would work?!

 

If Penny got in my car, she could grab whatever she wanted to.

 

When I replace my handles it will be with metal handles not plastic.

 

just in case
you probably already see this without my participation, but ...


this is a link: http://track.aliexpress.com/logistic...k=in_edm_other

two door handles (left and right) for $ 12.
I bought from this seller and already installed the left one - the installation did not cause any difficulties and I did not drill anything. Just threw the broken part and hooked a new one.
The quality of the part is normal, chrome is not yellow.
Delivery to Russia is free, to the USA - the price will not ruin you.


Chinese? Do not worry - everyone is doing everything in China anyway. Even what you saw on Ebay for $ 50..