Breaking a door handle can be one of the most resoundingly frustrating things that can possibly happen to your vehicle. When one breaks, it’s likely to break without warning; and older handles are no more (or less) prone to breakage than newer ones.
One thing for sure though, is that regardless of whether your car, truck, or ute’s handles are pull-out, pull-up, or push-down types, forcing a broken, or even partially damaged handle to continue doing the job of a fully serviceable assembly is rife with problems. You want to replace broken or damaged assemblies as quickly as possible; and luckily, replacement handles are a lot more affordable than you might think.
Aftermarket Door Handles are the Solution for Your Worn Out Latches
It’s a fact: while the thought of a car door handle breaking may have been all but unthinkable a generation ago, the lighter, and arguably more frail handles installed on most vehicles over the last 25 years are prone to breaking.
Fortunately, OE-spec, aftermarket replacement cars door handles are readily available for a wide range of late-model cars and utes. They’re essential, easy-to-install assemblies that are bolt-in replacements for your broken factory units, and they make use of composites and structural strengthening that allow them to hold up better under even the most aggressive usage than their OE counterparts were designed to.
As unremarkable as car door handles, latches, and even tailgate locking mechanisms are, it’s easy to ignore just how much more complex these assemblies are than they used to be.
They’ve evolved beyond purely utilitarian, push-button vehicle handles, into intelligent polymer fixtures that house everything from remote-controlled locks and sensors, to touch-sensitive paddles and integrated cameras. That’s why when it comes to high-quality replacement car handle assemblies, you have to consider important factors that include:
- Material composition. Aftermarket handles for cars made from rigid, dimensionally stable thermoplastics like POM (polyoxymethylene) and fibre-reinforced PA (polyamides) are engineered to resist the stresses and UV rays that door handles are exposed to every day.
- Operational functionality. Along with the wide range of tasks that modern car handles are expected to perform, aftermarket variants also offer ergonomic, and gripping advantages that allow you to grab them firmly, and without fear that they may break.
- Precise fit and compatibility. Your door handle’s fit is as is responsible for preventing door skin damage as it is for blocking water and dust entry, and high-quality aftermarket auto door handles fit just as precisely as OE assemblies.
No matter if it’s an interior or exterior assembly, if one of your smart, multi-functional vehicle door handles is broken or worn out, settling for a sub-standard replacement can be more problematic than continuing to using the broken one. You want to understand the reason behind the breakage; and once you do, you only want to look to premium quality aftermarket car door handles for sale to prevent it from happening again.
Understanding the Faults, Failures, and Risks of Defective Door Handles
Make no mistake: excluding damages that can occur as the result of an accident, there’s no shortage of reasons why either an interior or exterior car door handle might break or fail. Anything from the blunt force of an attempted break-in to a defective locking mechanism from the factory can damage a door handle.
It’s the cracking and fracturing that stems from material fatigue during ordinary usage, however, that’s the most common root of handle damage, and it’s typically caused by:
- Pulling your vehicle door handle up or out too hard, or too far;
- Applying sudden, or excessive pressure to the handle when opening the door; or,
- Exposure to the elements, including high temperatures and humidity, UV rays, or corrosive winds.
While a cracked or damaged vehicle handle is problematic enough on its own, the real problem comes from costly additional damages that can occur inside the door as a result of trying to work around a broken handle, including:
- Bent or broken locking or latching mechanisms inside the door;
- Faults in integrated electronic components such as keypads, cameras, or sensors, and,
- The possible introduction of water, moisture, or dust inside the door.
Any of these cars door handle problems can qualify as an inconvenience, but it’s at their worst that they’re the most troubling. A damaged handle can leave you with a door or tailgate that won’t open, won’t closed, or runs the risk of unexpectedly popping open while you’re driving. The safety hazard is simply too great to ignore, which is why when you begin experiencing tailgate or door car handle problems, you need to make investing in a high-quality replacement a priority, together with a mental plan about how to protect your door handles in the future.
Simple Tips to Get the Longest Life From Your Replacement Handles
Once you’ve committed to swapping out a broken, cracked, or simply worn-out car door handle with a more durable aftermarket replacement, it’s important to consider how to take care of these assemblies. Today’s top-of-the-line aftermarket automotive door handles are engineered to withstand the rigors of decades of use the way previous generations of push-button handles were, but there are a number of everyday handling procedures you can follow to ensure that you’re getting the longest life from these essential interior and exterior assemblies.
- Don’t apply too much pressure to your door handles. Avoiding aggressively snatching or jerking your door handles is an easy way to prevent breaking them, as well as placing undue stress on the assembly and door internals.
- Avoid slamming your doors. Not only does slamming doors increase the risk of damaging sensitive internals, but also of damaging the hinges and ruining your door’s alignment.
- Regular cleaning and periodic lubrication. Door handles require cleaning and lubrication just like other mechanical assemblies; that’s why you should protect your handles from unnecessary dust or sand buildup, and spray the insides periodically to avoid the need to apply too much pressure to open or close them.
The fact is, modern replacement door handles for cars are neither expensive nor difficult to install or maintain; and with proper servicing, they can last just as long as their push-button predecessors.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, it’s no secret: eventually, you’re going to experience a broken door handle. And as tempting as it may be to continue using a damaged assembly, the only way to prevent damaging the door even further is to replace it as soon as possible.
OE-spec aftermarket replacement cars door handles offer everything that you need to keep your doors and tailgates functioning properly and securing safely. It’s one of the simplest, and most satisfying repairs you can make to your vehicle; and once it’s made, you’ll never have to worry about it again.
