DIY-Door handle removal

david81968

I tried that also. Those 2 screws were way too tight. I couldn't get the leverage (due to the attached wires) to unscrew. I was afraid of stripping them. It was hard to hold the part and unscrew something so tight. I agree with you though, it is easier your way, if you can.
When my magnetic socket fell in the door, I just removed my speaker and used a telescopic magnet. That was probably the easiest part of the job. LoL

SINISTER

Another tip that worked for me...when you taking off the main bolts 2 on passenger and 3 on drivers side...take some thin cardboard and shape a funnel/tube then put in the hole in the door up to to the bolt. This will still give enough clearance to get your 10mm in and that way when you undo the bolt it cannot drop down into the door. I also had one of those pointer like magnetic grabbers so when I got the bolt out and it dropped on the cardboard I then used the magnet to retrieve it...hell no did I want something dropping in the door...

Also I did not need to remove the lock on the drivers side...my car is a 2013 Nismo maybe its different then some of these other guys saying you have to remove it...?? I pushed up wiggled etc. and out and the handle came off...when I put it in it just went over the lock no problem...

Hurtztwopee

How do you pull the pins out to separate the handle part from the assembly?

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HockeyAnimal1

I was able to get the handle part separated from the assembly. I drilled the heads of some of the rivets. Then i had a local machine shop drill and tap end end so I could re-assemble.

Check out the link to some pictures below.

Nissan 370Z Forum - HockeyAnimal1's Album: Door Handle Project

I thought it was worth the trouble to make sure the paint was even.

redondoaveb

Thanks for the tip and the other write up. I drilled the heads on just the main pins (the ones with the main spring). That gave the handle enough play to where I didn't have to completely remove the handle which the paint shop said they can work around. I then drilled and tapped the pin just like you did. It looks like it's going to work great, handles are in the paint shop now. Once again, great write up.

HockeyAnimal1

Thanks! Good to hear I'm not the only one out there crazy enough to drill out the rivets! Look forward to seeing finished handles!

redondoaveb

I never would have done it without your diy. It was kind of scary drilling and tapping them (you only get one try), but everything went great. It could be a couple of weeks before I get them back from the paint shop, I took a few other parts in to be painted also.