Mandy

I had my 2 rear handles with broken springs. Finally tore it down and as somebody recommended, I screwed in a small bolt to hold the spring. Fixed.

Just messy because of the stick glue that holds the plastic shield. But it is straight forward based on the manual. Just had a hard time breaking one of the bolts on the latch. Need extra brute force, but eventually broke free.

Would have done some DIY's but my camera took a dive, bad timing.

For those of you with handles wanting to fly....fix it, not hard at all.

TLBaller

DIY please... please......

Mandy

I just followed the manual regarding replacement of door handle. I can post this is necessary, but most of us have the manual. With respect to the handle itself, as somebody here recommended, all you need to do:

1. Follow directions on removing the door panel, disconnect all switches (1 for the window, 1 for the safety light). You need a tool to pry out the panel. The manual shows you the tool, like a mini crow bar. Harbor Freight has a set for $8. Once panel is out, remove Plastic cover, this is messy with the gooey seal. Guaranteed you will get the shit on your hands, tools and hair..... Remove protector. Remove Latch actuator. Remove latch, this is where you need brute force to unscrew the bolts. Move latch aside so that you will have access to the 2 bolts that hold the handle. Now you have access to 2 bolts that hold the handle, unbolt. Do not let the bolts drop....you will have a mess on your hands. Pull handle out.

Now you will understand why the handle does not spring back....

2. The reason why the spring is not working, the plastic stopper that holds-stops the spring has been broken (due to poor design). All you need to do is drill a hole (1/8") and screw in a bolt which will act as a stopper to hold the spring. By the time you do this, you will see that the spring will never slip off. (Sorry my camera took a dump and I could not take a picture of this...sucks...a picture is worth a thousand words).

3. Replace handle, 2 bolts. Replace latch, 3 bolts. Replace latch actuator, 2 screws. Replace protector, 1 screw. Put plastic back, re-install 3 holders.

4. Replace Door panel, do not forget to connect light on bottom and connect door window switch.

5. Pat yourself for a job well done and a working handle.

TLBaller

thats it???? just drill a hole and screw in a bolt???

meazz1

looks like drilling and screwing in a bolt is the easy part,taking it apart is the hardest job......

Mandy

You are right, the fix is so simple and quick. Make sure you bore a hole smaller than the screw you are installing. Use a lubricant to ease the screw in, otherwise, you may crack the plastic and now you're in trouble.

Go90go

^ I will be doing this soon! I will remember to use lube when I screw, .

~Cheers~

TLBaller

Good idea! I have plenty of lube

Mandy

Screwing is easy....getting lubed is not....this is going nowhere....LOL!

meazz1

LOL..

tmnhs81

Colt45

nice ill have to do this

Mandy

Take pics! The DIY will be complete with the pics!

undyroos

both my rear door handles were broken and I mickey moused them to return with a spring but I saw Mandy's DIY guide and decided to fix them right.

here's where/why they break. the plastic tab that the hooked part of the spring rests on breaks so there's nothing for the return spring to push on.


here's how I fixed it. drilled a 3/32" hole deep into the plastic and screwed in a 3mm hex head screw w/machine threads. the plastic can be brittle so take your time and be careful


thanks for the DIY Mandy!

Mandy

There you go! Great job. To this day, I was pissed that my camera crapped the day before I did my hadle repair. I had my handle busted for 1 year before I got into it. In fact there was another member who did the repair, that's where I got it.

Mandy

I had 2 handles repalced by Acura when it was still under warranty. Just because the design was bad.

stillgo98tl

Mandy / undyroos, you guys are the best, i think i can handle it from here, will let you know the outcome and hopefully some Pics.
yessssssss!

Mandy

Best repair I did and it was not really bad, it was straight forward.

I paid $185 just for the handle and the labor was goodwill, the last time Acura charge me many moons ago! The other handle failed earlier but was covered by warranty.

Take pics, so peeps can see!

Mandy

Well it is time to do a real DIY, my PASS side door handle has given up. I will have to tear it apart and do the same repair I did for the 2 rear handles.

This time I will take pics. Might as well check out the speakers and probably adjust my DR side glass which is scraping.

Yes the TL is aging...

Still love it though.

Mandy

The 2 that I repaired were the rears. The fronts should not be as hard, we'll find out.

TLBaller

holy crap, old thread lol I just left mine all jacked up. all 4 of my handles have been f*cked for yrs.

Ken1997TL

My wife drives the TL these days, her driver's door handle just went out. Time to take the door apart..

Ibz

Done and Done, on to the next one.