how to replace a door handle that wont open

[barty]

Ive got a problem with the door handle on my hyundi, the exterior door handle has broken and just flaps around in the breeze and to make things worse the interior handle has broken too. The nice MOT man has failed it {its the rear door ?). I have ordered a new door handle but i cant think how I'm going to open the door to change the handle, i cant remove the door trim as the door needs to be opened to get the trim off.
My only thinking is to smash the old handle off and then i maybe able to gain access to the rods and linkages to open the door.
Has anyone got any thoughts on this

[collector]

Some people are very handy with a "slim jim" flat piece of metal which goes in between the door shell and the glass.

[barty]

yeah though i would just park it up outside a travelers site and let them open it for me but knowing my luck all ill end up with is a car with no wheels and all the glass smashed.
Might bare your idea in mind though, thanks

[composimmonite]

I'd try and somehow get the door to open via the interior handle. Can you drill the broken handle so a large self tapper can be screwed in and then a pair of pliers used ?
If you remove the rear seat base then you should have better access for removing the door trim.
At worse I'd destroy the interior door trim rather than risk damaging the exterior bodywork / paint.

[dodgerover]

Yep as above you can usually work the trim off enough to get to the rods from the inside - or with a bit of practise you can get into most older things with a bit of welding wire and patience you just need to hook one of the rods. Try with the window right down too - might (or might not) give you a bit more space to get in.

Plan b weld up both rear doors

[sal]

As already posted slim jim or similar into door from out side. May help you see better if you can remove the trim between door and glass. When you realise how easy it is you'll fit added security

Last resort is damage door card and hopefully be able to find exact match as replacement.

[nomad]

Options

Cheat! Strip the door you *can* open to see where the rods/links/catches/locks are - and what needs to move to open the door - then you know what you need to do on the problem door

... or try a different MOT place ?

... or gaffatape (choose a colour to match the car of course ) the back doors shut - so much easier than welding to undo when you get back from the MOT

Hope you get sorted!

[barty]

thanks to everyone for your ideas, ordered a new exterior handle only £6 but then realised after i ordered it that its comming from china lol. not worth even looking at it till the handle arrives, good job there is still a couple of weeks left on the old mot

[collector]

Break the glass and go Dukes of Hazard style !!

[optimusprime]

Jul 29, 2014 22:04:28 GMT nomad said:

Options

Cheat! Strip the door you *can* open to see where the rods/links/catches/locks are - and what needs to move to open the door - then you know what you need to do on the problem door

... or try a different MOT place ?

... or gaffatape (choose a colour to match the car of course ) the back doors shut - so much easier than welding to undo when you get back from the MOT

Hope you get sorted!

Nah mate mot failure if door can't be opened,( and it's supposed to,if it's got handles it's classed as a door)
I had same problem last yr, central locking deadlocked one rear door,could not open if at all.
Luckily you could get the door trim off (Pug 406 estate) if you lifted the rear seat base up,had to smash the locking mech apart to get the door open.......

[fred]

Only real way is from the inside, even if you have to kill the inner door card
just do it carefully, with a blade, or similar, so you have half a chance of putting it back together
It can be done, but takes a bit of time, and a few chosen words of Saxon verbage
pry bar, blade, hammer, and screwdrivers should relieve the inner panel
Good luck mate