chrome door handles

[tickfordguy]

thinking of getting sum chrome door handles for my au 3 how hard are they to swap over does the door trim have to come off is there any little tricks to them

[private9]

I had mine out a few months ago. I can't quite remember if you have to remove the trims to get the handle completely out, but I don't think you do.

Either way, quite easy to do and you should be able to do all 4 doors in under an hour or so I would think.

[FGII-XR6]

no need to remove trims easy job

[Oo_xrsx_oO]

how's this done without removing the trims?

[private9]

Originally Posted by Oo_xrsx_oO

how's this done without removing the trims?

I'm pretty sure handles just come out seperately.

[StAndArdAU]

nah you will have to remove the trims to be able to play around with the spring and watnot. Because the actual handle assembly itself is riveted to the door, so you just replace the handle itself (get me?) i found that to do this the trim had to be pulled off or else its really difficult to get to the spring. The first one i did took about half an hour (call me a slow learner) then the other 3 took another half hour total.

i also inserted a chrome gear selector surround at the same time. it really livens up the interior and makes it feel a little younger.

[Oo_xrsx_oO]

Wasn't only series 1 that had the rivets where the whole unit (handle and housing) needs to be replaced rather than just the single chrome handle?

[superroo]

Originally Posted by Oo_xrsx_oO

Wasn't only series 1 that had the rivets where the whole unit (handle and housing) needs to be replaced rather than just the single chrome handle?

Yeah series one had the handle and backing plate rivited to the door, to one series one you need to just change the handle.
I have falkeen's tech article on it, i'll post it here when i find it

Cheers

[au^dude]

I think that the AU1 were riveted to the door, cause thats how mine were. But as far as i know the S2/3 were done with screws.

[StAndArdAU]

serious?!? bloody hell they really made it hard for us series one drivers eh!! still only took an hour all up.

[au^dude]

Yeah they made everything hard for us.....Brakes, door handles whats next..

[superroo]

AU chrome handle installation

Author - Falkeen

Here is my procedure on replacing the standard AU series 1 interior door handles with the chrome T-Series items.

I replaced all four handles (because the original handles didnt look right with the new black interior), this cost $100 for the set, but most people just do the two front doors. Personal choice, but in my opinion it looks much better having things all matching nicely.

T-Series chrome door handle
Part No. ER F 22600 B - R/H side
.............. ER F 22601 B - L/H side

Removing the old handle

This is the main issue with this modification. On the Series 1 models the handle is riveted onto the inner skin of the door (only applies to series 1 as the handle plates were riveted to the door skin, whereas series2/3 were just screwed so can simply be replaced).

Notice the rivets on either side of the handle

After removing the door trim, you will find the door handle as above. The way i got around not being able to take the handle off because of the rivets, i only replaced the handle itself, leaving the original backing plate attached to the door.

To remove the handle, slide the white plastic shaft that the handle pivots off then disconnect it from the wire cable. The handle will now come free from the backing plate.

NOTE: The plastic shaft has a split in it to prevent it from sliding up and out, you can push this in from the side so that it slides out but i didn't bother as they were going to be discarded anyway.

The handle itself will now be free from the backing plate as shown

Installing The New Handle

First of all, the backing plate needs to be removed from the chrome handle as it is not needed. Pushing the split in on the plastic pin can be done easily as you can do it through the hole in the back of the mounting plate.

NOTE: Take note of how the spring is positioned in relation to everything as this will help when re-installing.

This is the fiddliest bit of the lot, re-assembling the handle onto the door (but when you think its either this or trying to remove the rivets and then re-fitting the entire handle, it doesnt feel so bad).

NOTE: Keep telling yourself this throughout this step as it helps confidence and morale.

FIRSTLY, re-attach the wire cable onto the handle! CANT BE DONE LATER (really hurts after finally getting the thing assembled then finding this).

Position the spring onto the mounting plate on the door and then carefully slide the new handle on, keeping the spring as much in place as possible (this is the hardest bit!), then slide the new plastic pin down through the holes and spring which holds everything in place.



JOB DONE!



You can now re-fit the door trim and it should look much better.

New handle installed (missing power window switch plate in this shot. doh!).

Now you have no excuses!

Falkeen

[StAndArdAU]

down to a T

[au^dude]

Should send that to Casper or whoever handles the aufalcon web site, So they could put is as a technical document.

[MRJUCY]

Originally Posted by au^dude

Should send that to Casper or whoever handles the aufalcon web site, So they could put is as a technical document.

I haven't checked if it still is but it was on there, I would have assumed it still was.

I've never understood why people call them T-series door handles tho they were on the Ghias & LWB models but they weren't on TE50s I added them to mine tho.

[Oo_xrsx_oO]

So on a series II/III its as simple as undoing the screws, replace the whole unit and re-attach the wire cable? No fiddling with the springs etc?