thieves messed up my door handle

TheHighestCrew · 04-07-2011, 12:25 PM

So last night I thought around 12-12:15 I heard a muffled horn honk but couldn't see anyone out the window by the car. This morning I get to the car to go to work and my cylinder lock in the door handle is pushed in maybe a centimeter.... WTF?
so I unlock and open the door the entire handle pulls out a good half centimeter now. the lock still locks and the handle still opens but it was obviously pried out while they attempted to steal my car. This is the 3rd damn time and its getting reallllllly old.

tried to snap a pic showing the space but its kinda hard to see, you can see the paint scratches from whatever tool they tried to use to pry the handle out.

the lock cylinder is pushed in maybe a centimeter and the entire assembly will pull out aboust a half centimeter when you pull the handle

Would be nice if it wasn't super expensive to fix. God I hate spending money to fix vandalism from sh**heads that can't even steal a car properly. Every time this has happened they either break a window or try to pop the door handle. Worst thieves ever never get away with anything they just run when the alarm goes off. One time I was up and responded with my firearm but they beat feet the fu...ck out.

So nasioc experts, do you think the handle will need to be replaced? or is it perhaps just a broken connector for the handle assembly? I want to fix it but I am not sure were to start. I am filing a police report after work so I won't touch it until they look at it.

thanks /end rant

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97 Pimpreza · 04-07-2011, 12:27 PM

ibtl!

TheHighestCrew · 04-07-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 Pimpreza

ibtl!

facepalm... glad you got in before the lock

seriously anyone fixed a broken door handle because of an attempted break in? OR did you just buy a new assembly? Just looking for advice on that issue.

thanks

TheHighestCrew · 04-07-2011, 12:55 PM

well after the police take a look this afternoon I am going to try and get better pics of the damage, then either tom or this weekend I'm gonna pull the door card off and take a look from the back and see if it looks like I can fix it.

AreExSeven · 04-07-2011, 02:11 PM

I had the same problem. When I took off the door panel there is a missing 10mm bolt that holds the "lock" on to the handle. I dont know the reason why this happend. I also thought someone was trying to get into the car....but you cant get in this way.

slugrx · 04-07-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreExSeven

I had the same problem. When I took off the door panel there is a missing 10mm bolt that holds the "lock" on to the handle. I dont know the reason why this happend. I also thought someone was trying to get into the car....but you cant get in this way.

yeah it could be possible that no one tried to break into your car

its a common problem that the bolt just loosens and falls off from too much use or from bumpy road conditions

the door handle itself is loose because the key hole kind of holds it in place

i thought my car was broken into because the keyhole was missing and my handle was loose, but it was just the bolt had fallen into the bottom of the door

good luck

J. Steinbeck · 04-07-2011, 02:21 PM

I don't see a strike mark on the tumbler or a pry mark around the handle in that photo. Are you SURE that someone tried to break in?

I THOUGHT that the same thing happened to my car about two months ago, but was confused that I could see no mark showing forced entry.

Once you have the door panel and sealing plastic off, the fix could be incredibly simple. I had the same problem another poster had... there is a small retaining nut that screws onto a stud that holds on both the tumbler and right side of the door handle.

Took a small ratchet and tightened it up, and it was as good as new again.

Judging by the pic, at the very worst you might have a bent retaining tab on the tumbler. Then you would just have to remove the nut and unhook the rods, hammer the tab straight again, and reinstall. A bit of a PIA, but a cheap fix regardless.

If you are mechanically inclined at all, it will make perfect sense once you look up in there and see it with the panel removed. Hopefully it's no worse than what I am guessing.

^^^ Edit... guy above me is right on the money. Beat me to the punch.

MIKE DD · 04-07-2011, 02:22 PM

I thought the same thing when mine fell in. Was a PIA to fix, well not really, just took some time.

Edit: anybody else?

TheHighestCrew · 04-07-2011, 03:24 PM

thanks much for the informative replies!! and not just dumb "ibtl" statements. I do everything except for internal motor work on my car myself, much easier on my wallet. I plan on fixing this myself too.

The reason I jumped to theft is my car has been broken into twice before in front of my house this would be big # 3. I see scratches in the paint around the door handle trim and lock mechanism trim that weren't on the car yesterday. Also have had a late 90s/early 00s beige/greenish (ugly color) civic creeping my neighborhood the last 2 weeks, one day it was parked in front of my house and I pulled right up on his ass cause that is my normal parking spot, he took off as soon as he saw me. That was a little suspicious. After work I will take a much better look before I call the police and double check that the scratches weren't tree pollen marks. They looked like plastic with the paint scratched off but it was early and I will double check.

Its funny my car is one of the least expensive in my neighborhood, much nicer radios and things to steal out of the other ones, but they always seem to target my f**king vehicles. Never once successfully removed anything out of my car just managed to break things costing me money and damage my paint every time.

Either way theft or no theft thanks for easing my mind... hoping its just a matter of removing the door card and locating the hardware that fell off, then realigning and tightening it down.

slugrx · 04-07-2011, 04:17 PM

throw some loctite or similar so the bolt doesnt come out again

TheHighestCrew · 04-07-2011, 06:29 PM

after work I pushed on the lock it fell into the door. Looking around the edges I see scratches that I don't recognize. However since several of ya'll have had this issue without someone tampering with your lock I am not going to file a police report this time. Won't really make a difference if it was an attempted theft or not.

This weekend I will remove the door card and try to find that 10mm nut. I can hear something in the door now that I pushed the lock in so I bet its the nut. haha and will use some threadlocker for sure

thanks much for all the informative and helpful replies!

Caustin · 04-07-2011, 08:11 PM

Well. When I bought my car the lock assembly was inside the door itself from an attempted theft. I ended up taking it to a dealer for a grand total of $45. It isn't very expensive if you have the lock still. Sorry it had to happen to you!

TheHighestCrew · 04-25-2011, 11:07 PM

Okay so I forgot to update. I got in the door and got the nut and got everything back together. It was a pretty awkward squeeze getting it in place. Once I did it is secure. The door handle feels much more firm. Now that I have done it I can find it again if need be. Still have no proof one way or another if it came loose or someone was tampering with it. Either way just glad its fixed.

It was pretty easy besides figuring out how to position your arm. Took only about 30 minutes. Worst part was discovering my door card was cracked. A couple of the plastic rivets/welds holding the halves of the doorcard together are broken. Now that I look at it it explains the slight difference I noticed between the right and left door cards. not worth it to replace it I may get in it with some epoxy and see if I can stick them back together.

04-07-2011, 12:25 PM	#1
TheHighestCrew Scooby Newbie Member#: 207133 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	thieves messed up my door handle So last night I thought around 12-12:15 I heard a muffled horn honk but couldn't see anyone out the window by the car. This morning I get to the car to go to work and my cylinder lock in the door handle is pushed in maybe a centimeter.... WTF? so I unlock and open the door the entire handle pulls out a good half centimeter now. the lock still locks and the handle still opens but it was obviously pried out while they attempted to steal my car. This is the 3rd damn time and its getting reallllllly old. tried to snap a pic showing the space but its kinda hard to see, you can see the paint scratches from whatever tool they tried to use to pry the handle out. the lock cylinder is pushed in maybe a centimeter and the entire assembly will pull out aboust a half centimeter when you pull the handle Would be nice if it wasn't super expensive to fix. God I hate spending money to fix vandalism from sh*heads that can't even steal a car properly. Every time this has happened they either break a window or try to pop the door handle. Worst thieves ever never get away with anything they just run when the alarm goes off. One time I was up and responded with my firearm but they beat feet the fu...ck out. So nasioc experts, do you think the handle will need to be replaced? or is it perhaps just a broken connector for the handle assembly? I want to fix it but I am not sure were to start. I am filing a police report after work so I won't touch it until they look at it. thanks /end rant Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

04-07-2011, 02:21 PM	#7
J. Steinbeck Scooby Specialist Member#: 140575 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT sedan	I don't see a strike mark on the tumbler or a pry mark around the handle in that photo. Are you SURE that someone tried to break in? I THOUGHT that the same thing happened to my car about two months ago, but was confused that I could see no mark showing forced entry. Once you have the door panel and sealing plastic off, the fix could be incredibly simple. I had the same problem another poster had... there is a small retaining nut that screws onto a stud that holds on both the tumbler and right side of the door handle. Took a small ratchet and tightened it up, and it was as good as new again. Judging by the pic, at the very worst you might have a bent retaining tab on the tumbler. Then you would just have to remove the nut and unhook the rods, hammer the tab straight again, and reinstall. A bit of a PIA, but a cheap fix regardless. If you are mechanically inclined at all, it will make perfect sense once you look up in there and see it with the panel removed. Hopefully it's no worse than what I am guessing. ^^^ Edit... guy above me is right on the money. Beat me to the punch. Last edited by J. Steinbeck; 04-07-2011 at 03:18 PM.

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04-07-2011, 12:27 PM	#2
97 Pimpreza Scooby Specialist Member#: 123693 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: charlton, ma Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX Red	ibtl!

04-07-2011, 12:55 PM	#4
TheHighestCrew Scooby Newbie Member#: 207133 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	well after the police take a look this afternoon I am going to try and get better pics of the damage, then either tom or this weekend I'm gonna pull the door card off and take a look from the back and see if it looks like I can fix it.

04-07-2011, 02:11 PM	#5
AreExSeven Scooby Newbie Member#: 201662 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: earth Vehicle: 89 RX-7 Blue	I had the same problem. When I took off the door panel there is a missing 10mm bolt that holds the "lock" on to the handle. I dont know the reason why this happend. I also thought someone was trying to get into the car....but you cant get in this way.

04-07-2011, 02:22 PM	#8
MIKE DD Scooby Specialist Member#: 106818 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: The Bar Vehicle: 2002 WRX	I thought the same thing when mine fell in. Was a PIA to fix, well not really, just took some time. Edit: anybody else?

04-07-2011, 03:24 PM	#9
TheHighestCrew Scooby Newbie Member#: 207133 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	thanks much for the informative replies!! and not just dumb "ibtl" statements. I do everything except for internal motor work on my car myself, much easier on my wallet. I plan on fixing this myself too. The reason I jumped to theft is my car has been broken into twice before in front of my house this would be big # 3. I see scratches in the paint around the door handle trim and lock mechanism trim that weren't on the car yesterday. Also have had a late 90s/early 00s beige/greenish (ugly color) civic creeping my neighborhood the last 2 weeks, one day it was parked in front of my house and I pulled right up on his ass cause that is my normal parking spot, he took off as soon as he saw me. That was a little suspicious. After work I will take a much better look before I call the police and double check that the scratches weren't tree pollen marks. They looked like plastic with the paint scratched off but it was early and I will double check. Its funny my car is one of the least expensive in my neighborhood, much nicer radios and things to steal out of the other ones, but they always seem to target my f**king vehicles. Never once successfully removed anything out of my car just managed to break things costing me money and damage my paint every time. Either way theft or no theft thanks for easing my mind... hoping its just a matter of removing the door card and locating the hardware that fell off, then realigning and tightening it down.

04-07-2011, 04:17 PM	#10
slugrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 176789 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: SF/Santa Cruz Vehicle: 2004 psm wrx sedan	throw some loctite or similar so the bolt doesnt come out again

04-07-2011, 06:29 PM	#11
TheHighestCrew Scooby Newbie Member#: 207133 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	after work I pushed on the lock it fell into the door. Looking around the edges I see scratches that I don't recognize. However since several of ya'll have had this issue without someone tampering with your lock I am not going to file a police report this time. Won't really make a difference if it was an attempted theft or not. This weekend I will remove the door card and try to find that 10mm nut. I can hear something in the door now that I pushed the lock in so I bet its the nut. haha and will use some threadlocker for sure thanks much for all the informative and helpful replies!

04-07-2011, 08:11 PM	#12
Caustin Scooby Newbie Member#: 253605 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Golden, Colorado Vehicle: 2002 WRX DRZ 400	Well. When I bought my car the lock assembly was inside the door itself from an attempted theft. I ended up taking it to a dealer for a grand total of $45. It isn't very expensive if you have the lock still. Sorry it had to happen to you!

04-25-2011, 11:07 PM	#13
TheHighestCrew Scooby Newbie Member#: 207133 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2002 WRX WRB	Okay so I forgot to update. I got in the door and got the nut and got everything back together. It was a pretty awkward squeeze getting it in place. Once I did it is secure. The door handle feels much more firm. Now that I have done it I can find it again if need be. Still have no proof one way or another if it came loose or someone was tampering with it. Either way just glad its fixed. It was pretty easy besides figuring out how to position your arm. Took only about 30 minutes. Worst part was discovering my door card was cracked. A couple of the plastic rivets/welds holding the halves of the doorcard together are broken. Now that I look at it it explains the slight difference I noticed between the right and left door cards. not worth it to replace it I may get in it with some epoxy and see if I can stick them back together.