But for essentially the same price ....

 

Buy the metal handle and be done with it. Or contact (PM) Hells hot rod and get a used one for $10.

 

Bought one from donbrew's ebay link to the metal handle. $14.79 + free shipping. Thank you everyone for your input. Can't wait to do the install.

 

I have changed a few of these. Removing the pin takes a little patience but can be done. This is why they sell the entire handle with housing that you drill out. I forget which, but either the front or the back is real easy, while the other, seems like you have to bend the plastic pin to the point that it almost breaks. Next time my handle breaks I will do exactly like you are doing, buying the METAL handle.

Now get the engine codes for your CEL light and start another thread so we can fix that too.

 

Thanks guppy. The metal one I ordered supposedly comes with a new pin and spring. So hopefully I won't need to use the existing plastic pin. byw, I did start a topic on the CEL. P0010, P0011. Replaced both intake and exhaust solenoids but didn't turn off the CEL.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...symptom-61194/

 

Donbrew: Thanks for the link to the metal door handle.

Last night my driver side inside door handle broke off in my hand as I got out of the car.

I had previously (on another HHR I have) replaced the whole assembly with the dorman part, which was a lot of unnecessary work since only the handle was broken.

This time I ordered the metal handle from the link you posted.

Meanwhile, I am using a screwdriver to pry up the piece that remained attached so I can get out without opening the window and reaching for the outside handle.

Steve

 

I just did mine today. The wind caught the door and I had the handle in my hand .

I had changed the handle about 6 years ago. The last time I just changed the handle. I got that handle from a junk yard for $10.With a piece of the door panel.

This tine I had the Dorman kit, which included the drill bit ( a Faulkner bit) . The swivel pin was a steel rod on the Doorman Kit. . The original pin was plastic and much thicker. I would have had to drill out the swivel on the handle.

I wound up changing the entire handle with the Dorman Kit - that has the steel pin. I purchased mine from Auto Zone.

Works well and took about 20 minutes.

 

My handle broke and the dealer was a joke tried to sell me a door panel. I looked around online and found you could repair it (dealer failed to mention). I ended up buying one on Amazon it broke, then eBay it broke. I saw some guy post on a forum that he used a company called Everyday Auto Parts. I ended up trying again from them and low and behold it was the longest lasting one, it's still going strong. On a side note I ended up using them to replace my oxidized headlights as well. I hope this helps anyone who had the hassle I did with them. https://www.everydayautoparts.com/se...hr+door+handle

 

Well, I finally installed the metal handle inside my driver's door. The video I posted at the beginning of this thread was perfect. It took me about an hour. Which means it would take most people about 15 minutes. The driver's door might be a bit more difficult. I only broke one clip, but the panel is seated tight to the door. All in all a good DIY project.