How-To: Install Chrome Door Handles

19752 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by DrivenDaily, Nov 2, 2011

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · Mar 28, 2010 (Edited)

4

Ok, this is a breeze so here we go...The part # is 19212052 and I got mine from www.gmpartsdirect.com for $123.45 shipped.
I did all of this in about an hour and that included taking pics! This is what I started with....

When you get them you will get four (4) handles and four (4) caps, (one with the key-hole for the drivers door) and aside from the key-hole cap it doesn't matter which one goes on which door.
All you need for this is a T25 Torx screwdriver (I also used some rags to clean behind the old handles and then put on some wax to protect it).
Step 1.
Open the door and look level to the handle on the inside of the door and you will see a round rubber plug about the size of a dime. Remove that to get to the torx bolt. I was able to remove the plug by hand but if you can't, use a flat plastic blade to pop it out.

Step 2.
Loosen the torx bolt until the cap is loose but DO NOT REMOVE IT THE BOLT ALL THE WAY. Once it is backed out a good bit, pull the handle out and remove the cap.

Step 3.
Grab the handle and pull it toward the rear of the car and it will pop free and you can pull it outward from the car to remove it.

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Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #2 · Mar 28, 2010

4

Re: door handles in chrome

Step 4.
Make sure you put the gasket that is under the cap back in place if it comes loose. Place the new handle into place, holding it against the door, and slide it toward the front of the car. You will hear/feel it snap into place.

Step 5.
Again make sure the gasket is in place and install the new cap. You have to pull out on the handle (like your opening the door) to install/remove the cap. Holding the cap in place, tighten the torx bolt until snug. There you go...you did it! Just repeat this process for the rest of the doors and you're all set.

A back view of the cap here shows the bolt hole for the torx bolt. That is what holds all of it in place.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have and I will be glad to help. The set does come with installation instructions from GM but they are not very clear. Once you do the first one though you will see how simple it is. A very easy process and I have more pics of it in my gallery.
My end result looks sweet I think! Also just did the new 18" LTZ wheels.

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Silver LTZ

· #3 · Mar 28, 2010

Re: door handles in chrome

Great write up, and good work!

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 28, 2010

Re: door handles in chrome

Thanks SilverLTZ. I wanted to get these on and find out just what was involved. I had heard it was a one bolt mod and also heard you had to remove the door panel. I can certainly say now it is a one bolt mod and so easy to do. One of the easiest mods I've done. You would think it would be more complicated than it is.

elcompaLalo

· #5 · Mar 28, 2010

Re: door handles in chrome

Oh wow, can't believe I missed this. Great work on the write-up! I had no clue the swap was that easy.

DrivenDaily

· #6 · Mar 28, 2010 (Edited)

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Brianc538,
Nice write up, and great pics, man! Thanks for providing them.

When you remove the cap does the torx bolt inside the door stay there, do you have to remove it to get the cap off, or does it come out with the cap? It sounds like it stays in place, but I notice a threaded hole on the back of the cap, so I just need a little clarification. Thanks again!

Silver LTZ

· #7 · Mar 28, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Seems like this is going to be a popular mod, so I made it a sticky.

ChevyFreak

· #8 · Mar 29, 2010 (Edited)

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Great write up. Do you have the part number from GM? Price? If gotten form another place where and how much? Also I may have missed it but did you have to remove the door panels to do this? If so how did you do that?

elcompaLalo

· #9 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

ChevyFreak said:
Great write up. Do you have the part number from GM? Price? If gotten form another place where and how much? Also I may have missed it but did you have to remove the door panels to do this? If so how did you do that?

You don't have to remove door panel for this upgrade. Only a rubber cover to access the screw. I'm sure he'll chime in soon enough on that part #.

ChevyFreak

· #10 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

elcompaLalo said:
You don't have to remove door panel for this upgrade. Only a rubber cover to access the screw. I'm sure he'll chime in soon enough on that part #.

Sweet, I hope he does. If he could add that to his original post to that would help others in the future

Done quite a few write ups in my earlier modding days heh.

dpopeck

· #11 · Mar 29, 2010

One thing left to do

Looks great with those chrome door handles and LTZ wheels.

Only thing left -- those black mirrors have to go!

elcompaLalo

· #12 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

ChevyFreak said:
Sweet, I hope he does. If he could add that to his original post to that would help others in the future Done quite a few write ups in my earlier modding days heh.

Here is a link where he posted price ($123.45 shipped from GMPartsdirect.com) and I believe the part number is 19212052. Just double check, I found it searching GMPartsdirect.

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 29, 2010

2

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

DrivenDaily said:
When you remove the cap does the torx bolt inside the door stay there

The bolt does stay in there. It is threaded through metal inside the door and sticks out to thread into the handle cap. As you loosen the bolt you will feel it getting loose so stop there, pull the handle out (like opening the door) and see if the cap is loose. If your not using a magnetic screwdriver it would probably fall down in the door if you took it all the way loose, thats why I said be careful not to remove it all the way.
Here is a pic with the bolt screwed back into place without the cap. The red arrow is pointing to it. It comes in at an angle.

Here is the bolt location on the rear door.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else!

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Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

ChevyFreak said:
Do you have the part number from GM? Price? Also I may have missed it but did you have to remove the door panels to do this?

Part # is 19212052. I bought mine from www.gmpartsdirect.com and the price with shipping was $123.45. I checked several places and this was the best price I found.
You do not have to remove the door panel. All you have to remove is a rubber plug on the inside of the door (inside the door where the door latch is, not inside the interior panel). Look at your door and you will see the black plug, about dime sized and level with the door handle. Pull that out and you will see the bolt right inside there. Here is a pic of the location on the rear door.
Hope that helps and let me know if you have more questions!

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Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: One thing left to do

dpopeck said:
Only thing left -- those black mirrors have to go!

I know, they stick out like a sore thumb

They are next to go and going to do a spoiler for the rear. Just the small OEM style.

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Thanks elcompaLalo and thanks for filling in for me during my absence on the questions!

elcompaLalo

· #17 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Brianc538 said:
Thanks elcompaLalo and thanks for filling in for me during my absence on the questions!

LOL! No problemo, just keepin the momentum on the thread going.

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Questions pile up quick and I'm glad to see that. Some mods don't mean much to some but others love them. I think we have a good mix of people here with some great ideas.

alphagtp

· #19 · Mar 29, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

Thanks for the pictures!!! this is my next and maybe last outside mod, just waiting for some extra money to order them, question tho, do they offer any warranty on these?

Brianc538

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 30, 2010

Re: How-To Install chrome door handles

alphagtp said:
do they offer any warranty on these?

To be honest I am not sure and didn't really inquire about it. I know that as long as you keep the receipt, your local dealer will warranty it as part of your vehicle warranty. I had a problem with the GM exhaust tip I bought at the same place, started to rust after about 8 months in one little spot, so I took it to my dealer and they replaced it free of charge, as part of my Bumper to Bumper warranty because it is a GM part. I would email them at the site if you want to be sure.

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