SOMEONE ADVISE ON THIS> DOOR HANDLE CARRER OEM OR AFTERMARKET

[savagepapi8]

Gentlemen!

My driver's side door handle is broken I am looking online for different websites to purchase one after a good search on this page, I found out that some people have had bad luck with aftermarket to fit. I need help where exactly I can buy that would guarantee a fitment for peace of mind. Anybody with experience is free to suggest. ATM I am looking at one at URO parts.

[andrewwynn]

First, most often it can simply be repaired, only 1 of about 10 that I've seen broke other than the normal way. I have a thread showing how to fix for nearly free. You just need a piece of 16ga wire and some patience.

If you get a 3rd party model the only typical problem with them is that the spring may be too long and will hit the window = very bad things.

You can correct that problem with a dremel cut off wheel. Also covered in one of my DHC threads.

Importantly: the DHC has a little locking tab that I'm not even sure gets actuavted but will stay stuck in the locked position when cold so I remove the tab before installing any DHC.

Also: the actuator or the cable can freeze which will typically be the cause of how we break the DHC so I've been modifying my actuator to prevent them from freezing.

[savagepapi8]

Thank you Andrew for your prompt response. I suppose the DHC locking thing was holding it from opening the door until today when I put WD40 which cleared the frozen mechanism. However, the door would still not open from outside despite the fact the fact the handle being free from the ice. This is how I came to a conclusion the DHC is broken.
Please send me that link showing a thread on how to fix I could certainly start with that.

[cn90]

In my case, the cable is stretched. Photo in forum.
Unless you are very skilled at fixing "bicycle cable", get a new DHC.

I bought a DHC from BMW dealer for $100 (search forum and you will see why you should use BMW). This should last some 10y/100K miles.

[mr_robot]

I've tried Trucktek and Febi. Returned all for OEM. They all fit and it's up to you what you find acceptable. My issue was I didn't like the gap between the handle and the lock cylinder cover afterwards. It was miles off with the trucktek, a little better with Febi but OEM fit best and matched the rest of the cars gaps.

Buy it from FCP euro, they offer lifetime warranty so buy it once and never have to buy it again, just replace it under warranty.

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by cn90

In my case, the cable is stretched. Photo in forum.

Unless you are very skilled at fixing "bicycle cable", get a new DHC.



I bought a DHC from BMW dealer for $100 (search forum and you will see why you should use BMW). This should last some 10y/100K miles.

I'll point out: repair original = OE part. One of the primary reasons I recommend fix vs replace. The replacement OE will have the same design limitations however, after seeing one of my cables bite the dust that may be the weak link on some DHC.

I am very curious about the stretched cable described above. The general consensus is that is not possible so I'm very curious what actually happened.

I'm saying this because what happened in my case was the outer sheath failed by rusting and it actually got longer effectively making the cable short. (As if always pulling the handle a little). If the outer sheath rusted and collapsed on itself it would act as if the cable stretched.

I was bewildered that somehow my cable effectively shrunk and I want to follow up on the "Stretch" failure mode.

I'm planning an experiment to eliminate the outer sheath of the cable. I was quite amazed how much force is wasted on the cable when cold!

I will be making a master door handle thread with all the parts in one place.


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[stiubhartach]

I had a Uro break after a year, and I’m now using a Febi. Six months in and no problems. But who knows how long that’ll last. Even the BMW version breaks after a few years.