Installing outside door handles

Blue Beast · 03-22-2003, 03:08 PM

Does anyone know what tools I need to replace my 89 Mustang outside door handles...or of any helpful articles?

429mustang · 03-22-2003, 09:18 PM

I replaced mine, the originals were held on by rivets so I had to drill them out and get a set of stainless bolts the same diameter. After you get the rivets out, the rod that goes to the handle slides out (I think). The whole thing is pretty easy, the inside door panel has to come off but everythings pretty accessible, just MAKE SURE you don't use bolts that are too long or they'll hit against the window when it's down, I bought a set of pretty short ones, then ground them down so they were slightly longer then they needed to be so the nut could fully thread on. Oil everything up while it's apart also (locks/handles).

SuperCleanLX · 03-24-2003, 12:01 AM

i bought a replacement handle from ford and it came wih new rivets i drilled out the old ones and to it to a body shop and they popped the new rivets in out in the p-lot for free

ChunkFunky · 03-24-2003, 07:10 AM

yeah I bought a kit from 50resto.com and they came with the rivets.. but they are too big for a standard pop rivet gun.... so I went the bolt route... worked fine... it's also nice you can take them off should they break again or should you wanna paint the car or something... I'll just add to use lock washers.... the last thing you want is those bolts falling out... it's just a pain in the arse more then anything.
-as

03-22-2003, 03:08 PM	#1
Blue Beast Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 47	Installing outside door handles Does anyone know what tools I need to replace my 89 Mustang outside door handles...or of any helpful articles? __________________ Midnight Blue 89 GT... 306... ported and polished aluminum GT40's, MAC Long tubes, MAC power pipe, Flowmaster 2 1/2 cat back, GT40 intake with ported upper and lower, B-Cam, 24lb injectors, 77mm Mass Air, 65mm TB. World Class T5, 3.73's, Centerforce Dual Friction, FRP aluminum radiator, Victor Jr water pump, Pro 5.0 shifter, Crane adjustable FPR, 255lph fuel pump

03-22-2003, 09:18 PM	#2
429mustang Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: westerville, OH USA Posts: 618	I replaced mine, the originals were held on by rivets so I had to drill them out and get a set of stainless bolts the same diameter. After you get the rivets out, the rod that goes to the handle slides out (I think). The whole thing is pretty easy, the inside door panel has to come off but everythings pretty accessible, just MAKE SURE you don't use bolts that are too long or they'll hit against the window when it's down, I bought a set of pretty short ones, then ground them down so they were slightly longer then they needed to be so the nut could fully thread on. Oil everything up while it's apart also (locks/handles). __________________ 1990 Notchback: BBK Ceramic Coated Full length headers, Dr. Gas 3"- 2 1/2" x-pipe, Flowmaster 40's/turndowns.

03-24-2003, 07:10 AM	#4
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	yeah I bought a kit from 50resto.com and they came with the rivets.. but they are too big for a standard pop rivet gun.... so I went the bolt route... worked fine... it's also nice you can take them off should they break again or should you wanna paint the car or something... I'll just add to use lock washers.... the last thing you want is those bolts falling out... it's just a pain in the arse more then anything. -as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

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03-24-2003, 12:01 AM	#3
SuperCleanLX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fargo, ND Posts: 21	i bought a replacement handle from ford and it came wih new rivets i drilled out the old ones and to it to a body shop and they popped the new rivets in out in the p-lot for free