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3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal!


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moose5255
User

Aug 10, 2010, 1:09 PM

Post #1 of 17 (6967 views)
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I have a 1999 Buick Park Avenue, V-6 engine (3.2 I think though not 100% certain). Last winter we had a nasty ice/snow storm. I went to open the back drivers side door and heard a pop, and then the lift up handle was just loose after that and won't open the door, it doesn't do anything. To add insult to injury, I tried the pack passenger side door and the same thing happened. Then..........(you're not going to believe this), I tried the front passenger door and "Pop!", it did the same thing. Luckily I was able to open the driver side door. What kind of cheesy set-up did GM make for these doors? What a piece of junk door handle assembly. Can anyone tell me how to fix this problem, if it can be fixed that is......I wouldn't be at all surprised if I'm told I'll have to buy 3 new doors (then it goes to the junk yard). Any help would be greatly appreciated.


(This post was edited by re-tired on Aug 10, 2010, 1:16 PM)


re-tired
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Aug 10, 2010, 1:24 PM

Post #2 of 17 (6960 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

***SURPRISE*** You need 3 new door handles . One of GM 'S follies. Word has it the engineer that designed them got a six figure bonus.


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 10, 2010, 1:39 PM

Post #3 of 17 (6957 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In


Quote
Last winter we had a nasty ice/snow storm.


That was your first clues. When things are wet and frozen and you force them, something has to give. You had to break 3 of them before you got wise.



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re-tired
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Aug 10, 2010, 2:29 PM

Post #4 of 17 (6953 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

Your right there HT , poor design + poor judgement = bad day


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


moose5255
User

Aug 10, 2010, 3:00 PM

Post #5 of 17 (6948 views)
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Hammer Time, I did NOT force them. I barely pulled on those doors. I'm almost 60 and did not make it this far by being an idiot. It's obvious that this was a design flaw by some flunky who was paid handsomely to design it to break easily. No wonder GM was going belly up till' Obummer bailed their sorry butts out an GM became BM (Barrack Motors). Thanks for letting me know about the design screw up but you didn't need to be insulting. Also you didn't explain how to fix it, all you did was try and belittle me. Thanks.


moose5255
User

Aug 10, 2010, 3:07 PM

Post #6 of 17 (6945 views)
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re-tired, where do I get the handles? (don't tell me let me guess: They are only available from GM and cost about $200.00 each right?) Also, if I get lucky and get the new handles, can you instruct me on how to replace them? Would you be so kind as to walk me through the procedure? I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks!


Hammer Time
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Aug 10, 2010, 3:08 PM

Post #7 of 17 (6944 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

They are made of soft pot metal, the same as many millions of other vehicles other than GM are. When water gets into the latch mechanism in below freezing weather, it doesn't take much force to break them. Something has to give. You had to know there was an ice problem, especially after the first one broke.

The door panels have to be removed and the handles have to be replaced.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



moose5255
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Aug 10, 2010, 3:13 PM

Post #8 of 17 (6942 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

BTW Hammer Time, that Corvette is butt ugly. (Doesn't it feel good to be insulted?)


moose5255
User

Aug 10, 2010, 3:19 PM

Post #9 of 17 (6941 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

I'd ask you how to remove the door panels, but never mind. I usually use another car "Fix It" site that is much better than this. I should have gone there in the first, I only signed up here cause a friend recommended it. I'll be having words with him later. Thanks, goodbye, and good luck.


Hammer Time
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Aug 10, 2010, 3:42 PM

Post #10 of 17 (6930 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

I'm sorry if your that sensitive. I just tell it like I see it. Those handles have been like that for years and every once and a while someone learns the hard way that they were only designed to move a small lever so when they are forced against solid ice, they don't survive. This should have been pretty obvious after the first one or two.

It's no different than your wipers freezing to the windshield and trying to turn them on until the electric motor forces something to break.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



re-tired
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Aug 10, 2010, 4:22 PM

Post #11 of 17 (6927 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

I guess you threw me out with the bath water so I wont be able to give you the instructions. I will give a few opinions tho........Nobody called you an idiot . HT was stating a fact about the handles and perhaps you did unknowingly use a bit too much force . You made a mistake , I've made my share , move on. How the heck were we supposed to know if you were 6 or 60.Everyone here donates their time and knowledge with the only pay being very few thank you's.If you don't agree with the answer then get a second opinion or ignore it. But don't condem the site. BTW The President of The United States of America had nothing to do with the design of a car. That would be like saying that the Republican party in charge when it was built had a hand in it . IMO


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH

(This post was edited by re-tired on Aug 10, 2010, 4:32 PM)


Hammer Time
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Aug 10, 2010, 4:30 PM

Post #12 of 17 (6923 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

Good thing I'm a mechanic and not a politician. I'd be homeless by now................LOL



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



moose5255
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Aug 10, 2010, 6:52 PM

Post #13 of 17 (6913 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

I realize you people donate your time to help people out, but being rude does not help. BTW, I went fishing yesterday, and going again tomorrow...... A word to the wise: When replying to someone, try to be nice, even if you feel they made a silly mistake. Thanks.


re-tired
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Aug 10, 2010, 8:15 PM

Post #14 of 17 (6908 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

Thanks for the thanks .Fisherman eh . We'll leave it at that...Wink


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


chickenhouse
Enthusiast

Aug 10, 2010, 8:51 PM

Post #15 of 17 (6907 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

Hey "Moose"! What are ya, 285 & 6'3? Didja use both hands to break the handles? Maybe it was a "bad run" of handles that could'nt take it. Come on, these guys are great at tryin to help. You that thin skinned? It was a JOKE!! Lighten up! Go away if ya choose, you might find better! I doubt if you ever find more dedicated, knowledgeable people anywhere on the web. These people give their free time and knowledge to try and help. They don't try to be insulting, they like to play too!


chickenhouse
Enthusiast

Aug 10, 2010, 8:57 PM

Post #16 of 17 (6906 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

BTW, I'm 61


Sidom
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Aug 10, 2010, 9:46 PM

Post #17 of 17 (6905 views)
Re: 3 door handles broken on 1999 Buick Park Avenue! Unreal! Sign In

Well that is good advise Moose. You should try following it....

There is a very inexpensive fix to this problem.........BTDT many times...

There is an aftermarket company all over this problelm with a better product than the OE part....






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