Xsara VTR exterior door handle replacement

Bruce H · Unread post by **Bruce H** » 23 Sep 2009, 01:48

Hi all
Have asked on aussiefrogs with no reply, so now I'll try here. How do you replace an exterior door handle on a Xsara - it appears to be held on by two rivets? Are replacement rivets normally supplied with new door handles, and if not does anyone know their size?

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 23 Sep 2009, 11:13

I had to replace a rear handle on my Xsara.

Earlier Xsaras were held in by nuts and screws but later ones are indeed rivetted. You have to drill the rivets out. Front and rear doors are different but, providing it's just the outside flap that you've broken. you can mix and match the bit that's hidden inside.

I had already taken the door liner off to remove the drilled off rivets inside (I SO hate a rattle, don't you) but I think it's necessary anyway as I had to remove tha latch mechanism as well so that I could open the door flap wide enough to get my rivet gun in. Possibly if you have a special rivet gun this might not be necessary?

My brother supplied me with rivets so I didn't have that problem and the handle was second-hand so I don't know if rivets come with a new one. I doubt it though.

wheeler · Unread post by **wheeler** » 23 Sep 2009, 16:46

The rivets dont come with the handle but you can buy them from the dealers fairly cheaply. The rivets are quite big though & need a fairly big rivet gun to fit them.

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 23 Sep 2009, 20:45

wheeler wrote:The rivets are quite big though & need a fairly big rivet gun to fit them.

Yes, perhaps I should have mentioned that I had to use the "lazy tongs" type to get the pull needed. And my brother to stop the handle from falling out whilst doing it!

Bruce H · Unread post by **Bruce H** » 30 Sep 2009, 14:17

Thanks
Couldn't source the rivets easily so gave in and took it to my repairer. Just got the replacements door clips in the mail so now just have to refit the interior door trim.