Driver's door handle broken

[jaywoo65]

Last weekend I was out in the Yukon (Shaggy, btw) and went to open the driver's door and the handle broke. I even felt the latch snap. The handle hadn't had any return tension since I bought it last april but that never really bothered me. Not being able to open the door is kind of annoying though. Brought it home and took it apart. Sure enough, the handle latch had snapped in half and the return tension spring was broken.

I got on Amazon and eBay to look for a handle. Plenty to be had but all black. Shaggy is Sandlewood Metallic with the same colored door handles so the black ones were out. Looking at the handle and the way it was put together, it looked like it would be pretty easy just to replace the latch. So today was the first opportunity I had to get to Pick N Pull. I picked up two latches off of donor trucks. Cost me $1. And a spring. Works like new.

The broken spring and latch:

The replacements:

The pin that allows you to replace the parts:

And reassembled:

 

[adventurenali92]

Nice fix! Always feels good to be able to do that kinda stuff without having to pay someone to do it!

 

[Fosscore]

Nice work and cheap too!

 

[Davidh]

What year is your Yukon?


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[jaywoo65]

What year is your Yukon?


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2003

 

[mattt]

Thanks for the great pics. My 04 recently suffered the same problem. I was able to fix it just like you did too. Now my 15 year old white door handles will still be a faded match vs. a new door handle. Thanks for the info in this thread.

Now for a question or two....I picked up 2 of these levers that break at the pick your part. One of them is from an 01 Silverado, and the other is from a 04 Yukon. They are dimensionally the same, but they appear to be made of different material. Also, one has L2 stamped on it and the 01 version has L3 stamped on it. Does anyone know if one is stronger than the other, the early version vs. the later version?

I may just flip a coin for which to install. Thankfully GM didn't have their head where the sun don't shine when making this handle, and made it with a pin that is removable so the lever bracket can be replaced.

Lastly, I am familiar with the door handle security part called Jimmy Jammer. It is a plate that goes behind the door handle so crooks can't jam a screwdriver under the handle to open the door. Wish I had them installed on my 06 F450 Superduty that was stolen last August. I see they make the same product for 99-06 GM's. I'd like to install a set, but the door is opened up right now and I don't have a set here ready to go in. Anyone successfully made a set on their own that accomplishes the same, and saved the $42 for the Jimmy Jammer product?

Thanks in advance.