Exterior door handle seals
 

We wanted to replace the exterior handles with black ones to match the paint. We ordered some aftermarket handles. When hubby went to remove the driver door handle, what looked like it might have been a seal at some point basically fell off in pieces.

We couldn't get the replacement handle to fit right. Would the missing seal interfere with the fit for the new handle? The old one went right back in without the seal.

Has anyone replaced these seals and found a good place to buy them? Everywhere I find they are about $20 each!! Is it normal for them to disintegrate like that?

It's a 2007 HHR LT.

Here are the part numbers for the seals, and I'd replace them since I think the lack of them will affect the function of the door handles.

You'll need four of GM PN 15898791(SEAL, Door Lock, Side Door), one for each door, the have a list price of $19.50 each.

You can find them online for $15-17 each, this is the first I've heard of them disintegrating, but anything is possible.

I'll guess that 7-8 years of that hot and dry Arizona weather probably dried out those door handle seals.