RF Outer Door Handle Broken

So I guess we've been lucky to get along on the original thus far... the RF outer door handle made a nice cracking sound/feel yesterday when my bride pulled on it. It's now useless, doing nothing when pulled.

We'd already replaced the LR, using a Dorman replacement with great results going on 3 years now.
Ordered and picked up a replacement Dorman RF handle at O'Reilly's last evening. Plan to install next Monday PM, as I'm out on a 3-day M/C ride with some buddies starting Friday. Will snap a pix or two as I replace it.

This only leaves the Driver's and RR outer handles to go!
The driver's handle already has slop when pulled before it actuates, so pretty certain it's not long for this world either.
Come to think of it, will probably order the Driver's handle this PM, as I'd rather be proactive

Have any of your inside handles turned into razor blades? I've only had to replace one so far, out of 8.

Hsrd on handles. The hard life usually starts from jerking on a locked handle. GMT800 handles are stout.

intheburbs said:

Have any of your inside handles turned into razor blades? I've only had to replace one so far, out of 8.

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All the inside handles are AOK so far

OR VietVet said:

GMT800 handles are stout.

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That's funny, my driver's door handle randomly broke about a week ago. The spring-loaded metal lever that sits in the "loop" of the handle that makes it go back into position when you pull it snapped off. It lasted 21 years so no complaints, luckily I snagged a replacement out of one of the parts trucks and it was a 10 minute fix.

KC 2013 Tahoe said:

So I guess we've been lucky to get along on the original thus far... the RF outer door handle made a nice cracking sound/feel yesterday when my bride pulled on it. It's now useless, doing nothing when pulled.

We'd already replaced the LR, using a Dorman replacement with great results going on 3 years now.
Ordered and picked up a replacement Dorman RF handle at O'Reilly's last evening. Plan to install next Monday PM, as I'm out on a 3-day M/C ride with some buddies starting Friday. Will snap a pix or two as I replace it.

This only leaves the Driver's and RR outer handles to go!
The driver's handle already has slop when pulled before it actuates, so pretty certain it's not long for this world either.
Come to think of it, will probably order the Driver's handle this PM, as I'd rather be proactive

Click to expand...

So I finally got some time last evening to replace the completely broken outer RF door handle and the wounded Driver's outer door handle.
The Passenger handle was completely broken-off at both pivot loops.
The Driver's outer pivot loop was broken-off, accounting for it's looseness. The remaining inner pivot loop was already fractured and could have snapped-off at any time. So glad I went ahead and proactively replaced it.

The Passenger handle was an easy replacement. The driver's handle with the key cylinder was a little tricky, but once I pulled the snap ring that retains it, it came right out. The tricky part was getting the new one back in.
You have to attach the opening lever, partially re-install onto door and then re-insert the lock cylinder back in, until it clicks past the outer snap ring. Would have been easier in the daylight, but tricky while holding a work light and trying to apply the pressure necessary to get the cylinder to snap past the outside lock ring.

The new Dorman handles look great and have tight/firm action.
That's three of the four outer handles now replaced.
The RR for whatever reason is still tight and has good action. Time will tell!

Here's the post-mortem pix of the handles:

I replaced all my 1999 Tahoe LT with after market, chrome handles after going with the OEM replacements 2 times. The GMC/OEM are just too weak to handle the weight of the doors no matter how hard or soft you treat them. The chrome went better with the silver metal flake anyway.

Agree - the Dorman handles are made with extra/better material in key breakage points.
Best of all, they have a L/T warranty. Should they ever break again the replacements are free.