Exterior door handles
#1
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Car: 89 Formula
Engine: Nada - v4.0
Transmission: Nada - v3.0
Axle/Gears: Nada - v3.0
Exterior door handles
Since NOS GM is impossible to find without having to donate a body part, I tried the Dorman replacement. The studs are smaller than OEM and I can’t seem to find any speed nuts that will work.
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
Last edited by 96BlownSSragtop; 06-10-2019 at 09:13 AM.
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: Exterior door handles
I was in the Auto Repair Business long enough to remember when Dorman was made in USA and top quality.
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TTOP350 (04-27-2024)
#3
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Exterior door handles
I had the same problem. I noticed that if you find some ooooold stock they work perfect but the "new" stuff is garbage. I lucked out and found several NOS when needed.
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: Exterior door handles
Since NOS GM is impossible to find with having to donate a body part, I tried the Dorman replacement. The studs are smaller than OEM and I can’t seem to find any speed nuts that will work.
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
#5
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: Exterior door handles
Absolutely right! For a couple pennies, Dorman could have made a repro handle that might work. Instead, they leave a "Surprise"! for the installer, to find after tearing down the door. Start driving around town, looking for a special nut, in an odd size.
#6
Re: Exterior door handles
Like everything thirdgen related, I always check if I can upgrade to 4th Gen parts when possible. 4th gen door handles bolt right in and in my opinion look a little bit better. That's just my opinion though and they don't come in chrome. The new ones are probably made by Dorman too.
#7
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Re: Exterior door handles
Since NOS GM is impossible to find without having to donate a body part, I tried the Dorman replacement. The studs are smaller than OEM and I can’t seem to find any speed nuts that will work.
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
Anyone found a solution or a replacement brand that actually works/comes with ALL hardware?
On the speed nuts, place your FACTORY ones with the nut side up on hard metal/concrete surface, then take a hammer and tap them (don't pile drive them), tap them lightly until the top surface is flat and closes back up. They will then start on the posts after a few cusswords. Go ahead and run them on just a few threads, but not all of the way. Once on the door, then you start them again and take them all of the way. They will eventually screw all of the way down tight.
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#8
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Car: 89 Formula
Engine: Nada - v4.0
Transmission: Nada - v3.0
Axle/Gears: Nada - v3.0
Re: Exterior door handles
On the speed nuts, place your FACTORY ones with the nut side up on hard metal/concrete surface, then take a hammer and tap them (don't pile drive them), tap them lightly until the top surface is flat and closes back up. They will then start on the posts after a few cusswords. Go ahead and run them on just a few threads, but not all of the way. Once on the door, then you start them again and take them all of the way. They will eventually screw all of the way down tight.
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Car: 89' Firebird
Engine: 3.4L V-6
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: Whatever came stock!
Re: Exterior door handles
The problem i had with the aftermarket handles is that they sit too close to the door and scratch the paint :/
#13
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dagwood (04-04-2022)
#17
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Re: Exterior door handles
The Hoffman handles are great. I always thought the factory one seemed like such an after thought compared to the rest of the lines of the car.
#18
On Probation
Re: Exterior door handles
I have the black china cheapies on my 84.
They are hanging in there and work fine.
As far as hitting the paint..... a homemade spacer under the mounting studs
will fix that.....
NEW black OE left sides are out there for big $$
new OE right sides are more reasonable.
Cant OPEN the door without a handle.........
They are hanging in there and work fine.
As far as hitting the paint..... a homemade spacer under the mounting studs
will fix that.....
NEW black OE left sides are out there for big $$
new OE right sides are more reasonable.
Cant OPEN the door without a handle.........
#20
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#22
Member
Re: Exterior door handles
If you want to keep the stock ones you're stuck with the cheap Chinesium and pot metal. If you don't mind a little body work the guys on this link came up with a good solution.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...maro-door.html
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...maro-door.html
#24
Senior Member
Re: Exterior door handles
I love mine!! Hoffmans are super nice and don't rattle.
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Camaro51 (04-28-2024)
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