need ideas for fixing broken outside door handle

My outside door handle cracked in half so in order to up in it up I have to stick my hand underneath the sharp edge to pull it up. A youtube search indicates that this is a common problem. Those videos have people opening up the door from the inside in order to replace the handle. While it is not a complicated project, I want to avoid it if possible.

I have tried using loctite but that wasn't strong enough. I tried placing a piece of metal across the crack using loctite to hold them together, that also did not work.

There has to be a way to rig this so it will open up normally. I'd like to just place a piece of metal across the crack and screw it in but the handle is too thin for that, right?

Any ideas?

 

I'd just buy then new one, it takes like 15 minutes to do

 

Yep. Don't cheap out. It's not worth it.

 

you could prob. strap it front and back and it MIGHT work....or you could prob. spend less time fixing it right.

 

Year and model if tacoma? Any pics

 

Is there a specific contraption to 'strap' it or something to rig up?

 

ask @m3bassman pretty sure he breaks his yearly.

 

no, just a piece of steel on the front and back bolted together like a sandwich. It will look like shit.

edit: I know one guy made a new one out of wood. You could go that route if you really wanted it to look bad.

 

^this. Pulling the door panel off is easy. Replacing the handle should take no more than 30 minutes even if you take a couple beer breaks.

 

if you want OEM:

http://www.car-part.com/

find one close.

 

I also remember the time when I would try to fix it too. There were times when $10 didn't seem like much but it is if you don't have it and have other priorities.

 

I went through 3 different sets of cheap handles in like a year and a half. Just spend and buy the oem. Some handles lasted longer than others but I spent the same amount after buying them repeatedly as I would have if I had simply bought the oem ones first. If you are worried that you will break the trim nuts you can buy some extra ones on Amazon for cheap. I replaced all my slightly broken ones last time I did the handles.

 

Monthly

 

The reason the lift handle broke is because the latch assembly needs to be cleaned. The lube is 15+ years old and there is dirt in the latch/lock mechanism that prevents smooth operation. It is maybe another 1/2 of work to take the latch out clean it and lube it.

 

I've always used cheapo's. As long as you don't just grab and yank I've had good luck. I have 10 buck ones inside and usually buy a set for outside for like 30 and replace all.
I'm taking about my van. 5 handles. Truck, I've had no problem with. Still a Toyo van though.

 

They really like to break in cold weather. I've gotten good at replacing them. The OEM ones last twice as long but cost five times as much. I use the cheep ones, and buy several so I have one on hand for the next time it breaks.