Replace your Door Handles without taking off the inside panel, even the Drivers Door!

[GeorgeInNePa]

All of the door handles can be replaced from the outside.

I did mine today and played around with the drivers side front door (with the lock) and was able to replace the handle with out removing the door panel.

Caution! You must be gentle! Don't go yanking on the lock set or you will be opening up the panel. lol

First remove the plug exposing the bolt. (Note: get a magnetic driver for this. It's a 8mm bolt, but a 5/16 nut driver will fit. Lowes and Home Depot both sell Dewalt magnetic nut drivers, trust me, spend the 3.99 you'll be happy you did.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door1.jpg

This will allow the lock set to be partially removed from the door.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door2.jpg

Now, slightly open the door handle and pull towards the rear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door3.jpg

You will have to gently move the lock set back and out a bit more and the handle will come out completely.

Then remove the plastic cover from the lock set.

Install the painted cover on the lock set.

Insert the painted handle into the door. You will need to have one hand on the handle and one on the lock set. Push the handle forward and in while holding the lock set out of the way.

If you are very careful, nothing will get scratched. You need to make sure the rubber door protectors under the handle/lock set are in the correct position.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door5.jpg

All the other handles are easier, since the small piece comes right out of the door when you remove the bolt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/GeorgeInNePa/G8/door6.jpg


(Yes, these pics were all taken with the painted handle. I wasn't going to put the chrome piece back in to take pics ;))

[08G8V8]

Nice George! I know a lot of people like the chrome, but on the black, it just sticks out too much. Much better without it.

[G8GT594]

Nice guide! Its going to come in handy as ive moved on to appearance mod.

[GeorgeInNePa]

Nice George! I know a lot of people like the chrome, but on the black, it just sticks out too much. Much better without it.

Absolutely!

;)

Actually, I dislike the chrome on any color.

Way to too much bling.

[MANOFSTEEL69]

Those look good George, even the wife said nice!

[GRRRR8]

Looks GRRRR8 and nice write up. Should pick up a tenth. :nah:

[GeoffA]

Did you paint them or buy them painted and where? Also the same questions for the chrome trim around the doors.

[GRRRR8]

Did you paint them or buy them painted and where? Also the same questions for the chrome trim around the doors.

I know the trim around the doors he bought the kit that replaces it with black.

[Crazy Paul]

Did you paint them or buy them painted and where? Also the same questions for the chrome trim around the doors.

George bought the black Holden door trim kit from me...from part of the Bonkers sale.
George then bought a set of Holden unpainted door handles from me, he had me ship these directly to our resident professional auto painter in Toronto. peterg22000 then expertly painted the handles and shipped them back to George.

A great team effort.


:woohoo:

[GeoffA]

Nice, Black trim upgrade this winter maybe...

Oh and it turned out GRRRR8 George

[XXFire]

I'd LOVE to make my chrome black !

[Crazy Paul]

I'd LOVE to make my chrome black !

What's stopping you ?

[peterg22000]

Looks good on there George! I'm Glad you like them!



What's stopping you ?

Yes, We can help:)

[Executor999]

Once Crazy Paul and George showed me how easy it is to swap out the door handles and gutter trim, I decided to following suit. Just ordered the solid color door handles from Crazy Paul and will have them painted at my GM dealership. Hope to pick up the black gutter trim in August! The only chrome left will be the front grille, mirror covers and fuel door.

[Executor999]

Got the door handles from Paul and just got them painted by my GM dealer. They look great! Installed in a half hour at most tonight! Solid color door handles look much better than the stock ones. Thanks Paul and George!
http://www.howervision.com/g8/solidcolor01.jpg
http://www.howervision.com/g8/solidcolor02.jpg
http://www.howervision.com/g8/solidcolor03.jpg
http://www.howervision.com/g8/overlay.jpg

[GeorgeInNePa]

Looks great!

Were you able to do the drivers door like I said?

[Crazy Paul]

Another Happy Camper !!!

:woohoo:

[Executor999]

Looks great!
Were you able to do the drivers door like I said?

Yes! I even got the 8mm magnetic driver you recommended from Home Depot. All done from the outside of the car. Hope the gutter trim is just as easy.

Windshield is fixed too!
http://forum.grrrr8.net/showpost.php?p=129462&postcount=18

[GeorgeInNePa]

Yes! I even got the 8mm magnetic driver you recommended from Home Depot. All done from the outside of the car. Hope the gutter trim is just as easy.

Windshield is fixed too!
http://forum.grrrr8.net/showpost.php?p=129462&postcount=18

The gutter trim is easier. The trim below the windows , at the top of the doors, is a little tricky.

[renmike]

It just clicked in my head that the GT's must have the chrome door handles, because my base G8 doesn't. But I still have the chrome around the windows. Which VE models have the all black treatment?

[Executor999]

It just clicked in my head that the GT's must have the chrome door handles, because my base G8 doesn't. But I still have the chrome around the windows. Which VE models have the all black treatment?

Crazy Paul provides some good examples
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pjsadler/index_files/Page1487.htm

[Crazy Paul]

It just clicked in my head that the GT's must have the chrome door handles, because my base G8 doesn't. But I still have the chrome around the windows. Which VE models have the all black treatment?

It's normal on most of the VE range to have black door and gutter trim and body colour door handles.

The chrome door handles get used on special editions and some of the luxury models.

[Kermit]

Bringing this up from the dead.
I found a G8 owner that has the same color as I do willing to trade his handles for mine. Will be going over to his house Sunday to swap them out. Great write up. This will help a lot.

[018of888]

would love my chrome painted black and leave my insert white.....

[Project Whiplash]

would love my chrome painted black and leave my insert white.....


Really bro? When i had my vinyl guy do my window trim black. He did one handle just to see how it looked cuz i thought im here lets try it. I didnt like the look the black was i dunno to much an stood out. Im just gonna go all white. but who knows you might like the black i just thought id share my thoughts..

[LS1_Disciple]

Good write-up. I convinced the used car manager at the local (former) Pontiac dealership to let me swap out mine with a silver V6 they had on the lot. Did it today after work in about 25 mins. Looks much better.

[XXFire]

There a way to take the entire chrome lock part out to paint?

[Crazy Paul]

Yes

[XXFire]

Yes

Umm care to elaborate please? lol

[Crazy Paul]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel3.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel4.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel5.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/FrtDoorPanel6.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/DoorLock1.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/DoorLock2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/Instructions/DoorLock3.jpg

[XXFire]

Thanks Paul..
Was hoping it was this easy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB5XrZb-6Pk

[08G8V8]

Good video......it's that ez.

[Crazy Paul]

Thanks Paul..
Was hoping it was this easy...

It would be if there was not a lock actuator rod attached to the back of the door lock.
Seems like a lot of work just to apply a 1/2" dot of paint around the keyhole, with the lock off the car.
It would be so much simpler if you could apply your paint with the lock in place and just the plastic thumb piece removed.

[XXFire]

It would be if there was not a lock actuator rod attached to the back of the door lock.
Seems like a lot of work just to apply a 1/2" dot of paint around the keyhole, with the lock off the car.
It would be so much simpler if you could apply your paint with the lock in place and just the plastic thumb piece removed.

Ya.. we'll see how that goes...
I got 3 door handles done... :)

[Luckyusaf]

How much do the door handles and trim run?


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