AHH! Broken door handle trigger

[banjomike]

Good Grief!

This morning when I tried to open my door and the trigger broke!

I noticed that it is much easier to get in the passenger side and slide over to the driver side than it was in my 944, or the VW golf or my wife's volvo, or any car I've ever had save that old landcruiser.

I looked up the door handle on this site... $315!!! That's insanity!

I'm sure it is a fine deal when compared with the rest of the market, but for $315 I guess I'll be getting in on the passenger side until I find a good used one.

Anyone know about changing handles and the lock core and all of that?

MsB

[DonDavis]

You can replace just the trigger portion. Call a local parts dismantler and they will sell just the trigger or the whole handle. I think 20th Street here in Phx sells the trigger for about $20. That's the route I would take.

[jstgermaine]

Mike, email me jstgermaine@stgassociates.com

[ttweed]

Don't pay the big $$$ for a new one unless your time is very valuable.

Take the handle off and see what broke. Usually it's the plunger mechanism of the trigger. It can be taken apart and the broken pieces replaced from another junked handle. I did it with my '73, and even used a piece from a later year which fit with only some minor machining. Cost me $25 in parts (and of course a few hours of labor doing the R/R of the door panel and handle.)

TT

[911boost]

the trigger is made out of pot metal I think. I agree with everyone above, learn from our mistakes (or atleast mine), just buy a trigger from a dismatler.

Bill

[targa911man]

I have broken both triggers. I agree that you should get a used one. Keep an eye out for cheap used handles. I've bought a coupole pairs even though I didn't need them at the time. My passenger side broke about six months after the driver side. Be careful dissasembling the handle mechanism. It's spring loaded and will fly all over the place if you're not careful.

[911boost]

oh yeah I forgot to add, does your 911 have the central locking? I am guessing it doesn't by its age, but if it does be extra careful, since there are wires going to the door handle.

[vash]

are yours chrome or black? partsheaven in hayward has black ones. $75 each.

cliff

[banjomike]

that's what I love about this place... fast response, and helpful answers.

They are black. I don't have central locking (unless you consider that I can unlock the passenger door from the drivers seat with only the slightest bit of leaning over).

I've had two Golfs, a 944, and used to drive Mom's Audi 5000, all of them had the same door handle (not like a 911 handle), and the trigger on them would break, but it would slowly bend and tear making it harder and harder to get the door open over many months. This one was fine and then SNAP! there it was on the ground.

I'm going to go over to EASY at lunch and see what they might have.

apologies for the crappy camera

[vash]

easy has them too. same price. glad your's are black, i need chrome ones.

[no substitute]

Someone does sell triggers only? I wouldn't have thought they'd separate the assembly. I was thinking of making my own. Zamak was one of the names for this type of metal. Yes, you can flip the triggers from side to side.

[FranksPlace2]

Our friends in NJ, Cars Inc has one now at $13.

door handle

[banjomike]

Stopped in at EASY at lunch, and I got a complete handle with a little scratch (but none of the pitting that is on my original handle) for $50. sounds like Cars Inc would have been better.

It looks like the trigger will come out really easily, so for others in the future, buying a handle in poor cosmetic condition and swapping the trigger could work.