Civic Outer Door Handle Cracked Off in Icy Weather

Honda Civic 1995 LX Driver Side Outer Door Handle broke when opened on an
icy day. Its black plastic and seemed to crack off. leaving a 2 inch stub
that still works if I use a piece of wood to pry the door handle open. But I
want to replace the broken handle. NOTE: The whole mechanism is still
operational and doesn't need replacement, its just the piece of plastic you
grab onto when pulling forward, and I know its sold separately.

QUESTIONS:

(1) Honda asks $55 for a replacement black plastic door handle and I see
similar handles for under $20 on the Internet. Should I consider getting an
after market one, or is the Honda part the only one I should consider.

(2) I have also seen metal door handles to replace the black plastic ones.
Do these have an advantage over the plastic ones, especially in icy weather?

(3) What is involved in replacing the broken handle? I mean the degree of
difficulty if I decide to replace the handle myself?


Thanks,

Gary

 

"Gary" <> floridly penned in

Well, if you don't use the door handle as an ice-breaker, either will do
just fine.

Just because the handle is "metal" does not mean it's strong. Door handles
are often cast aluminum (or other weak material) and will fracture just the
same.

Even if the handle were strong enough not to break, with you hauling on it
like that, you could distort the door sheet metal or cause other damage
internally. It is therefore preferable that the handle be made the weakest
point.

Easy but fiddly, as there's little room inside the door.