Anyone Replace a Door Handle on Chevy/GMC?

[hanson]

So I washed my truck the other day, went to open the doors and they were frozen shut. When pulling hard doesn't work, pulling harder usually does, right? Pulled the frickin' door handle right off the door of the truck.

Anyway, it appears there are 3 bolts that hold the handle to the truck door. There is a lever that attaches to the handle for the key lock, and one for the door handle.

What I'm trying to figure out is are the 3 bolts supposed to be attached to the handle assembly itself, and then nutted from the back. Gonna need a guy with skinny arms to get up in there. Or, are the bolts separate and attached first, and then the handle assembly is pressed onto the bolts.

It appears that the bolts are pressed into the handle assembly one way or another. My handle now has broken plastic around where these bolts would be pressed into the handle.

Wondering if anyone has some insight? Would like to know what I'm getting into before I get too far into the project.

[Macgyver55]

What year are we talking about? They changed styles in 1999 I think.

Most, if not all door latches have to be installed from the outside, but secured from the inside. This means you will have to take off the inner door panel to access the retainer bolts. When you buy the new latch it will be clear what is necessary to install it.

Cold weather is a bad time to do this because it will often result in broken plastic on the panel or retainers if you are not extremely careful. If you have a warm place to do it I'd suggest letting it warm up good before you start.

[hanson]

Its a 1999 "new body style" Sierra.

I think you pretty much answered my question. The handle comes with the "studs" or "bolts" (there are 3 I believe) pressed into the back of it which would mean I pretty much destroyed my handle. This inserts into the door, and is nutted from the inside. The latch release and the lock release are then connected.

This doesn't look like fun but getting in through the passenger door is going to get old in a hurry as well.

[Macgyver55]

They really aren't that bad once you've done a couple. I probably made it sound worse than it is, but like I said, when its cold, be gentle with the plastic.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The hardest part for you will be getting the door panel off. Once its off it will be a five minute job to replace the handle. I recommend rolling down the passenger window before starting to prevent accidentally locking yourself out of the truck. It happens more than you would think!!

[Macgyver55]

The only guys who would think of that have done it, right?

That is a good point though, been there! Now I never pull a car in without a window opened a bit.

[hanson]

The hardest part for you will be getting the door panel off.

I've had the door panels off before to put new stereo speakers in the truck so that shouldn't be too bad.

Good tip on the passenger window!

[Jeremy airjer W]

The only guys who would think of that have done it, right?

[18 inch Crappie]

Good time to get them aftermarket Chrome handles on........