I once stumbled across a post that described in detail with pictures how to remove and replace the door handles...but now I can't find it. Search function ain't cutting it.

Specifically, I'd like to know in advance what tools I'll need (what size torx for example). My toolbox is lacking and always find myself halfway through a job and discover I need a tool...and the car is apart and not available to go get it.

Just got my door handles back from being vinyl wrapped and can't wait to get them on the car...they look great by the way, thanks Lyle (if you're reading)!!

(Not sure of the right forum...please move if appropriate)

 

Nobody?

 

Sorry dude, I looked a bit last night, but couldn't find it. I'll look some more today.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...D+DOOR+HANDLES

 

Yeah, I thought about that one, but I remember seeing one with better pics

 

http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=8000

 

i think I'm going to try this soon. Sorry to steal the thread, but are the handles easy to get painted? Is there any special prep required?

 

Perfect! And the handles look great, can't wait to see them on the car!

 

Good luck Sin. What color did you go with on the handles?

 

I didn't paint...I had Lagston do his Vinyl magic. Can't speak to the durability as they aren't even installed yet, but man do they look nice (gloss white to match trim theme)

 

good luck on the install! be sure to get the ball end T-handle allen keys. sorry, i dont remember what size but it'll be a lifesaver and make the job so much faster

 

Do you think you could take some pics of the tools and process when you do this sin. Everything I've seen doesn't really have to many pics. That would be awesome for when I do mine soon.

 

this is the t handle type allen wrench you need


you really dont need much more than this tool to actually get the handle off. what other pics do you think you need to see? i have a couple more that i didnt upload because they didnt seem necessary to show

 

Go to the site posted above by Lagston...it seems pretty good.

 

.

 

I think thats it actually. Now it makes more sense. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

Already have one. Agro (AMVIV) loaned me his original pair of handles that he removed when he installed new ones as well as the T-handle he bought for just this purpose.

He claims 2 weeks for the first door...2 hours for the second once he knew what he was doing

But he didn't have the guidance I have...let's hope. Hopefully I can get one on Saturday AM, but rest of my week is nuts so I may be driving around with one white door handle and one chrome

I'll try to remember to take pics, but I'll be limited on time so I probably won't (helps if you have a helper)

 

Then can you remember what size Torx is required? I think I saw 30 somewhere but can't recall where...I need to finally break down and get a set of Torx bits.

 

sorry bud no recall at the moment for what size tools used.
but as far as time goes it shouldnt take you more than 2 hours per side
probably even faster for the second handle

 

Harbor Freight sells a great set of these, really inexpensively - $4! You can't beat it!



CLICK ME!!

 

the harbor freight ones dont look long enough for this job and secondly they need to be metric

 

Did I link to a standard set? If so, sorry - they carry standard and metric. Yes, get metric for the MINI, but for the price, you might as well get a standard set as well, right?

And I know they're long enough - someone confirmed to me that they used this set for the door handle job, which is why I bought them. I'm going to try wrapping my door handle right on the car (again, I know it can be done from others' confirmations), but if I mung up the job, I'll have these handy to pull the handles off the car.

 

good to know

 

Thats great, there is a Harbor Freight close to my house.

 

The one I loaned SinMINI is from the set I bought at Harbor Freight. They rule for tools you are only going to use once in a while.
I didn't say 2 weeks and 2 hours, it was 4 days for the passenger side and about 45 minutes for the driver's side. The key was getting my wife to use her small hands to reconnect the release cable inside the door for me.