$5 Door handle fix

[944Spec_bound]

My door handle broke, as most eventually do, at the pivot point on the handle casting, which meant the whole handle needed to be replaced. When I shopped and found the cheapest one was around $160.00, I had to figure out a cheapskate way to fix it. I read some posts that said the VW MkII models looked the same but won't work. I went to local Pick-N-Pull, bought one for $5 and adapted it to work. Here's how.....(sorry for poor pics, all I had was my phone)

Porsche door handle, broken pivot is circled:


Here's the difference between VW and Porsche handle:
Foreward end of VW


Porsche, notch outlined in red is not on VW handle, this is what holds the front of the handle on:


The VW handle is actually held on at the front with a screw, so it's slotted inside. So after changing the key tumbler, pivot and linkage to the new handle, I mock mounted it to the door, marked the door where the front slot lined up, center punched and drilled a new hole to attach it.

Before:


After: I used a bolt and nut to keep the small plate behind it in place for drilling.


Attached the nylon locking linkage, installed rear bolt and an 11/32 machine screw/nut to hold the front (circled in blue):


Adjusted linkage and put the VW stainless cover back on the handle, I kind of like the way it looks.




I'm going to do the same thing on the passenger side tommorow , figure the $310 savings can be invested into my track prep!

[Slam]

My kinda repair. Great post - thanks!

[Marajit]

With a slight alteration, the AUDI 5000 door handle will fit as well.

Part # 443-837-205C

Cost: $20.

[p-talk]

Slight as in less than the VW alterations?

Originally Posted by Marajit

With a slight alteration, the AUDI 5000 door handle will fit as well.

Part # 443-837-205C

Cost: $20.

[Marajit]

The notch at the front of the handle is too long and needs to be shimmied from the back in order for it to sit tight against the door. I glued a piece of rubber to the inside of the door that takes up the space in the notch.

Also, the linkage bar must be replaced with the original.

[John_AZ]

I had the same door handle failure today as well.

My fix was to drill 2 holes, 1/16" on each side of the metal tab all the way through to the outside of the handle. (First picture from 944Spec_bound). On the outside of the handle between the 2 holes make a shallow cavity. Take a piece of wire that fits the hole and is bendable, make a loop and install. The ends on the outside of the handle are pressed in the cavity on the outside and covered with JB Weld and painted. Sorry the photo is so dark. The top left is where I drilled the holes and put in the wire. The short pin is from the door release part. The door opens better now that I also cleaned and greased both sides.

On my 1988 924S only one screw in the door jamb removes the handle and if you are careful not to break the other white nylon tab it is an easy fix.

If this fails, I will go for the 944Spec_bound option. Good writeup and information.



John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S