thrid door handle fix - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

midniteblues · 03-01-2013, 10:11 AM

I had problem brakeing my third door handle after i bought this truck back in 04 and just about every winter the handle broke twice I bought one from the dealer that cost me $40-$50 and both broke the winter after i put them in.
so after a google search one nite a few years ago on the problem i came across this handle on ebay iirc it cost somewhere around $5-10 and made very well from aluminum(havent checked latly too see if these are even still availble)
its been on there for a few years now with absolutely no problems.
I just thought i would put this out there for others who might have had the same problem

now if i could only find a good fix for the seatback adjustment handle that seems too be broken on every truck i see.I asked the dealer about this and they recomended a new seat frame at a astronomical price and all i could think was it will last as long as the third door handle

I have/had the "help" replacement handle that basicly gets attached by a set screw(i even added 2 more set screws too the handle an it still wouldnt get tight enough too work correctly) but that didnt last very long before it stripped the splines on the shaft and broke it even more and now i barely have any stud left the best thing i've found so far is a pair of vise grips

midniteblues · 03-01-2013, 06:41 PM

my title shows why too much coffee is not good for typing...twitchy fingers

71-C10 · 03-10-2013, 03:48 PM

After replacing the plastic OEM handle twice, I bought one on ebay made from aircraft aluminum. It seems to be a permanent fix. As far as the seat handles, I bought a set of handles from a seller on ebay called gmseatsolutions09. It fits sort of like you're describing, but mine seem to work good. They come in a set of two for both sides, they have two different ways of mounting, and they come in different colors. Mine are light gray. They are designed to mount on the "broken" shafts. I'm not sure if this is the same handles you have. If not, check them out. He has them listed right now. Replacing the seat mechanism was not an option for me either.

Eddie

**truckdude239** · 03-10-2013, 04:31 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BROKEN-SEAT-...item2a2a2d3551

midniteblues · 03-11-2013, 08:44 AM

yhea those are the same ones i had the problem i had was the set screw that tighens against the broken shaft wouldnt hold it tight enough so i added a second set screw too it an then it started too move again an broke the broken shaft some more now theres barely any shaft left hence the vice grips

oh an i found mine at a advance or zone in the discounted "help" items they were like 3-4 bucks apeice

the third door handle works awesome though

Woogeroo · 03-30-2013, 04:16 AM

That OEM plastic third door handle is a joke, for sure.

When my folks bought theirs used with about 40 k miles, it was broke, I swapped it out once and my dad swapped it out again.

*sigh*

It still has less than 70 k miles on it... I've been wondering if someone made a handle out of sturdier stuff or not.

-W

03-01-2013, 10:11 AM	#1
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	thrid door handle fix I had problem brakeing my third door handle after i bought this truck back in 04 and just about every winter the handle broke twice I bought one from the dealer that cost me $40-$50 and both broke the winter after i put them in. so after a google search one nite a few years ago on the problem i came across this handle on ebay iirc it cost somewhere around $5-10 and made very well from aluminum(havent checked latly too see if these are even still availble) its been on there for a few years now with absolutely no problems. I just thought i would put this out there for others who might have had the same problem now if i could only find a good fix for the seatback adjustment handle that seems too be broken on every truck i see.I asked the dealer about this and they recomended a new seat frame at a astronomical price and all i could think was it will last as long as the third door handle I have/had the "help" replacement handle that basicly gets attached by a set screw(i even added 2 more set screws too the handle an it still wouldnt get tight enough too work correctly) but that didnt last very long before it stripped the splines on the shaft and broke it even more and now i barely have any stud left the best thing i've found so far is a pair of vise grips Attached Images __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-01-2013, 06:41 PM	#2
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: thrid door handle fix my title shows why too much coffee is not good for typing...twitchy fingers __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-10-2013, 03:48 PM	#3
71-C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 70	Re: thrid door handle fix After replacing the plastic OEM handle twice, I bought one on ebay made from aircraft aluminum. It seems to be a permanent fix. As far as the seat handles, I bought a set of handles from a seller on ebay called gmseatsolutions09. It fits sort of like you're describing, but mine seem to work good. They come in a set of two for both sides, they have two different ways of mounting, and they come in different colors. Mine are light gray. They are designed to mount on the "broken" shafts. I'm not sure if this is the same handles you have. If not, check them out. He has them listed right now. Replacing the seat mechanism was not an option for me either. Eddie

03-10-2013, 04:31 PM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: thrid door handle fix http://www.ebay.com/itm/BROKEN-SEAT-...item2a2a2d3551 __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

03-11-2013, 08:44 AM	#5
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: thrid door handle fix yhea those are the same ones i had the problem i had was the set screw that tighens against the broken shaft wouldnt hold it tight enough so i added a second set screw too it an then it started too move again an broke the broken shaft some more now theres barely any shaft left hence the vice grips oh an i found mine at a advance or zone in the discounted "help" items they were like 3-4 bucks apeice the third door handle works awesome though __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

03-30-2013, 04:16 AM	#6
Woogeroo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: tool box Posts: 3,115	Re: thrid door handle fix That OEM plastic third door handle is a joke, for sure. When my folks bought theirs used with about 40 k miles, it was broke, I swapped it out once and my dad swapped it out again. sigh It still has less than 70 k miles on it... I've been wondering if someone made a handle out of sturdier stuff or not. -W



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