Front Passenger Exterior Door Handle - Deer Hit Wife
 

A deer hit our car when my wife was driving to work one morning (yeah, he hit HER ... coming from the side) I was able to replace the mirror, but was taking a look at the door exterior passenger handle tonight, and was able to get the handle off, which looks okay, but I'm not sure what it's supposed to latch to. I've seen some "how to" videos online, and they look pretty straight forward, so whatever it usually latches to must have broken loose. Can anyone give me an idea of how it's supposed to connect? There is a rod inside that has a white plastic piece on it that I thought it might be, but every time I've tried attatching it to the handle, it isn't working. I don't suppose there's a way to get inside the door, rather than just reaching inside with my hand? That's what I've been doing, and lets say it's not fun.

I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'm usually have pretty good luck finding out how to do these things myself online ... not this time though ... any suggestions?

:welcome8: to the forum!

Sorry to hear your HHR was attacked by a directionally challenged deer, but I've had two of 'em smack into the sides of vehicles I've owned, so it doesn't sound odd at all.

Here a diagram of the door, with a link to a parts breakdown, hope this helps.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/images/pa...181T10-011.JPG
http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssem...rimLevel=14420

Welcome to the site :smile:

This thread may help. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/replacing-exterior-door-handles-30380/

Welcome to the site.

I had that happen about twenty years ago. A big boom, the car shakes and I watched the deers head slide past my window. I killed mine, but funny, no damage at all to my Dodge minivan. Not even a scratch to the paint. Just a bunch of hair that washed off. Lucky.