Broken Outside Door Handle Fix

[JimG]

Thanks for the procedure - it was a big help! I feel bad though as it took me a lot longer than some others claim!

A couple of additional notes:

1. Read the other instructions regarding removal of the door panel before starting.
2. Get a supply of both fasteners better to have them before you start than do it with the car apart! ( 6 of each - dealer cost $37.20 )
3. Step "It will take some patience and fiddling to get the new carrier in." is understated - it can take a while.

Bought the part from Rockauto $49 + shipping ( $20 for 3 day), got it in two )

Definitely not the easiest job, but these directions saved the day!

And I figure that I saved around $200-250

Thanks again

Jim

[Blade69]

Just came from the stealership today. $448 they wanted. He actually told me it was mostly the part. Right away I was like "I don't like this dude." A quick Ebay search and I found a genuine BMW part for around $105. Needless to say, I'll be ordering it, with the plastic clips and doing it myself.

[Russianblue]

FYI, safety wire fix STILL holding after 18 months! granted, relatively light usage, but still holding nonetheless....

[Blade69]

Russianblue, I'm going to assume you did something other than replace the carrier??? I didn't read all of the posts.

[ylwjacket]

He stitched it back together with wire.

I did the same thing (though I didn't drill holes in it, I just wrapped it through some of the open spaces). It's been about 4 months, and it's still holding together. That door gets opened about 6 times a day.

[Blade69]

Originally Posted by ylwjacket

He stitched it back together with wire.

I did the same thing (though I didn't drill holes in it, I just wrapped it through some of the open spaces). It's been about 4 months, and it's still holding together. That door gets opened about 6 times a day.

Wow. Did you have to go through all the steps mentioned previously?

[Russianblue]

if you can get a replacement carrier for cheap off of ebay or something i would definitely do that. the safety wire fix is functional, but not necessarily to OEM spec. if i were to purchase a new carrier, i might look at reinforcing the breakage area somehow.

[ylwjacket]

I had to take off the handle, the lock, etc. Then, I sort of did what RB did, except I didn't drill any holes. I got some wire at Home Depot (I forget the guage, but I can look in the garage and see) for about $6, and just threaded it through the mechanism, very similar to what RB did, but w/o drilling holes.

I put it back in, and it's held together.

Honestly, I kind of forgot that I had done it. I intended that to be a short-term fix, and to get a replacement part. it was sort of an emergency repair. But, since it has worked, I forgot about it.

My car is my daily driver, that I share with my 19 year old daughter. Between us, someone is in and out of the car pretty often.

Of course, now that I've typed this, it'll break again, so I better start looking for parts.

[TerminatorX5]

you know guys, i wonder if the door handle carrier part is the same on the security models as it is on the regular models?... This is a pic of the E70 Security door, the E53 did come as a security model as well...

That is one HEAVY door!!!

[Big "J"]

Replaced my driver door carrier today. About 2 hours going slow and careful... The airbag light is on now. I unplugged it an didn't disconnect the battery... Guess I should have? Any solution to the air bag light?