ARGH! My driver's door handle broke. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 02-17-2004, 03:45 PM

This was my afternoon:

I needed to cut some cement blocks and trim up the asphault in my driveway before the pavers come to finish my sewer line project, so I left work early, grabbed the truck, and ran to the equipment rental place to get a saw and a couple of blades.

I pull into the parking lot, and go to lock my door. Something's wierd with the button on the handle, so I push it, and it immediately breaks with the hardware falling into the inside of the door with a loud CLANG.

I should have taken this as a warning.

It takes me forever to get the saw, and the store lost the blocks I had on special order, so I waste 45 minutes waiting around. After forgetting to roll down my window I climb through the passenger side to get behind the wheel. I rush home (daylight is fading), and set up to make the cuts. Then I tried starting the saw.

It's a basic chainsaw engine. Choke, compression release, trigger with lock, and a rope you pull. EASY. The damn thing wouldn't start. I pulled on that thing forever.

Since the dude started it in the parking lot before handing it to me, I thought maybe I was being a dumb-ass and there was some hidden trick. I called the shop and explained how I was trying to start it, and of course he tells me I was doing everything right. Realizing I didn't have enough time to mess with the spark plug, etc. I decided to give it another try.

...so I hang up determined as ever. I give it a yank and it FIRES! But then it sputters and quits before I can open the choke, so I go to start it again, and the damn ROPE HANDLE BREAKS OFF IN MY HAND.

You could literally hear the steam comming off my head. I just dropped the handle next to the saw, and paced for a couple of minutes trying not to blow a fuse.

Luckily the rental place took the saw, and didn't charge me. By then it was dark. A full afternoon wasted.

Of course I forgot to roll down my window again, so when I went to go home I had to crawl in through the passenger side before I could go home....

What a day.

Dean · 02-17-2004, 04:06 PM

Usually you can still stick your finger in the opening and make the door handle work if you are talking about the outer door handle. This has happened to quite a few old ones I have had.

cheyenne10 · 02-17-2004, 08:21 PM

I've seen these trucks go for months maybe years with people using finger to reach the tab inside door after button has failed.

PrimeredThunder · 02-17-2004, 09:36 PM

The button on my Drivers side fell out while I was going down the road. Drove it for about 4 months like that, just kept an allen wrench in my pocket to pop it open. I needed a new handle anyway, got a nice chrome repro from Wes...much nicer

Brad · 02-18-2004, 03:28 AM

..and I thought those kinda days only happened to me! Anyway, my push button fell out while I was driving about a year ago. I'm still using my unlocked wing window to get in, lol.

fast14 · 02-18-2004, 06:57 AM

Yeah, Heck, both of mine are like that!!

Longhorn Man · 02-18-2004, 08:15 AM

Yup, I been fingering mine for about 6 months now.

02-17-2004, 03:45 PM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	ARGH! My driver's door handle broke. This was my afternoon: I needed to cut some cement blocks and trim up the asphault in my driveway before the pavers come to finish my sewer line project, so I left work early, grabbed the truck, and ran to the equipment rental place to get a saw and a couple of blades. I pull into the parking lot, and go to lock my door. Something's wierd with the button on the handle, so I push it, and it immediately breaks with the hardware falling into the inside of the door with a loud CLANG. I should have taken this as a warning. It takes me forever to get the saw, and the store lost the blocks I had on special order, so I waste 45 minutes waiting around. After forgetting to roll down my window I climb through the passenger side to get behind the wheel. I rush home (daylight is fading), and set up to make the cuts. Then I tried starting the saw. It's a basic chainsaw engine. Choke, compression release, trigger with lock, and a rope you pull. EASY. The damn thing wouldn't start. I pulled on that thing forever. Since the dude started it in the parking lot before handing it to me, I thought maybe I was being a dumb-ass and there was some hidden trick. I called the shop and explained how I was trying to start it, and of course he tells me I was doing everything right. Realizing I didn't have enough time to mess with the spark plug, etc. I decided to give it another try. ...so I hang up determined as ever. I give it a yank and it FIRES! But then it sputters and quits before I can open the choke, so I go to start it again, and the damn ROPE HANDLE BREAKS OFF IN MY HAND. You could literally hear the steam comming off my head. I just dropped the handle next to the saw, and paced for a couple of minutes trying not to blow a fuse. Luckily the rental place took the saw, and didn't charge me. By then it was dark. A full afternoon wasted. Of course I forgot to roll down my window again, so when I went to go home I had to crawl in through the passenger side before I could go home.... What a day. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

02-17-2004, 08:21 PM	#3
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	I have used Deans idea. I've seen these trucks go for months maybe years with people using finger to reach the tab inside door after button has failed. __________________ Bob

02-17-2004, 09:36 PM	#4
PrimeredThunder Back from the Dead Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 522	The button on my Drivers side fell out while I was going down the road. Drove it for about 4 months like that, just kept an allen wrench in my pocket to pop it open. I needed a new handle anyway, got a nice chrome repro from Wes...much nicer __________________ The only Carb that matters to me is the one under my hood! Salem, Oregon

02-18-2004, 03:28 AM	#5
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	..and I thought those kinda days only happened to me! Anyway, my push button fell out while I was driving about a year ago. I'm still using my unlocked wing window to get in, lol. __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

02-18-2004, 06:57 AM	#6
fast14 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 117	Yeah, Heck, both of mine are like that!! __________________ Just a little crazy 1970 chevy full size half ton, soon to be one ton running gear, 350 turbo, 205 case, 355c.i.

02-17-2004, 04:06 PM	#2
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	Usually you can still stick your finger in the opening and make the door handle work if you are talking about the outer door handle. This has happened to quite a few old ones I have had.

02-18-2004, 08:15 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yup, I been fingering mine for about 6 months now. Attached Images



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