Malibu310

We just fixed our door handle that broke two weeks ago ... found some window items needed fix'n and then adjusted gear linkage and new battery... we had all the work done locally (Minneapolis)... $1,300

928drvr86.5

I am on my second hinge in 3 years on the left side. This time i am going to take the new hinge to work and fabricate a reinforcing plate of some sort to share the strain that is applied to the small tab that actuates the turnbuckle mechanism. I am thinking something that bolts to the hinge mounting closest to the tab. Doing this job every few years is absolutely retarded. Also, that turnbuckle mechanism has to be adjusted within a knat's hair or there is too much strain applied to the tab/lever on the hinge. The design of that hinge is flawed for sure, that little tab makes a sharp 90 degree bend away from the hinge, it should have a radius at that point.

928drvr86.5

Is everyone's hinge breaking at the "linkage Tab"? Both of mine did.

chaadster

Ben,
Yes, mine broke at the linkage tab, just like the failure shown on George Suennen's site.

What about the turnbuckle adjustment you talk about... how do you characterize that "gnats hair" adjustment? Can you feel if it is overly tight or slack at the door handle?

928drvr86.5

If i remember right, it's a fine line (at least mine was) between the turnbuckle not being long enough to actuate the door mechanism, or too long and applying too much strain to the linkage tab. Seems like i fiddled with it for a long time last go 'round.

Ed Scherer

Well, that was fun.

Just got the job done about an hour ago. Also replaced the door stay (three position stop) while I was in there.

Thanks again, George S., for a great write-up. Definitely a time saver to know what screws to remove, etc. I wound up not quite removing as much stuff as George did. Also needed to be darn careful to avoid scratching my window tint (I succeeded in completing the job without scratching the tint film), so I had a protective rag over the inside of the window during the part of the procedure where the window was rolled down. Worst part of the whole procedure was rethreading the leftmost hex screw that holds the outside door handle.

Oh, and mine broke where everyone else's did, too, just like in George S.'s photo.

Thaddeus

My driver's side handle came pre-broken for my convenience by the PO. It's not a fun job, but losing that security plate sure eases things up.

James-man

MY TURN!

Sassafrassa mrumpfahrmpha.

Driver side. Door panel off. Ready to scrub for surgery. But wait... before doing, I need to order the implantable device for the hinge replacement surgery).

Wish me luck!

m21sniper

Every time i have myself almost talked into this repair on my shark i see another thread about it, and it gets bumped off my planned repair schedule again.

LOL. Eff it, i just leave the window down and reach inside to open the door.

m21sniper

LOL, wow.

gersar928

Ours has broken at the Linkage tab three times within the last three years, twice on the driver side and once on the passengers.

James-man

This link seems to be down. Are there special secret tips in there or can an average person muddle through blindly?

Thanks

IcemanG17

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...or+handle+PITA

There are some pictures in this one that should help. This is on a 78 with the vacuum locks..slighty different on the electric lock newer models..I think they are easier.

Ed Scherer

James, you're right... it seems to be down right now. Google search "George Suennen 928 Door Handle" and click on the "Cached" link that shows up on the first hit. It doesn't have the photos, but it's better than nothing.

perrys4

I din't think it was that tough of a job and I am not very mechanical. I think I used directions from Greg Nichols site. I never removed any locks as stated somewhere here, wasn't necessary. I did mine (first time) in 1.5 hours start to finish.