Door handle tore off when minus 14

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T

treeangel

New Member
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3
Location
Oxfordshire
Well, this is very embarrassing for a Landrover noob :eek:. The other morning when it was still -14oC I could not open the driver door to my 110 SW. So I went to the front passenger door and managed to get the key to turn and with a might yank ... managed to pull the handle right off the door! I left behind a yawning tear in the metal of the door.

I have managed to get a new lefthand door handle from ebay. Fitting the new one doesn't sound too hard, having read another post about this here. However, any ideas please on how I should repair the torn metal and leave it as strong, or perhaps stronger, than it was before? Thanks

PS Lesson learnt - spray WD40 to door seals and inside lock when expecting a really cold night, and go gentle on the tugging!
 
Without seeing it not really. Obvious answer is to re-skin the door but thats not cheap or easy. I think Id be looking at making up some sort of aluminium plate to rivet over the damage. You could put one on the inside as well to strengthen things up. Depends on what you can live with looks wise.
 
My bet is that the locking mechanism was what was frozen, as sticking door seals would never be stuck enough to rip the door handle off. The seals would tear off the door frame before that happened.
 
Whats wrong with good old hot water. Make a cup of tea then go out and pour hot water from kettle onto the door handle/lock. Instant door open like magic. Get in (with cup of tea) start your landy and then defrost it a bit while you drink your tea.
 
mercanlandy said:
Whats wrong with good old hot water. Make a cup of tea then go out and pour hot water from kettle onto the door handle/lock. Instant door open like magic. Get in (with cup of tea) start your landy and then defrost it a bit while you drink your tea.
Click to expand...

If its cold enough this could be an extremely bad idea, would just freeze immediately after pouring........
 
hammoj28 said:
If its cold enough this could be an extremely bad idea, would just freeze immediately after pouring........
Click to expand...

Yes, it will freeze again, mine does but you can get the door open and get in and get going. It's been so cold lately that I've had to pour hot water on the door lock when I get back home in order to get the key in and lock it again.

While it's so cold, unless you can keep your landy in a garage then your going to get frozen locks
 
mercanlandy said:
Yes, it will freeze again, mine does but you can get the door open and get in and get going. It's been so cold lately that I've had to pour hot water on the door lock when I get back home in order to get the key in and lock it again.

While it's so cold, unless you can keep your landy in a garage then your going to get frozen locks
Click to expand...

Very true, could be a quick fix if needed.

Mine haven't frozen up again since filling em with WD40 tbh because even the push buttons would go solid before.
 
Shifty1962 said:
Without seeing it not really. Obvious answer is to re-skin the door but thats not cheap or easy. I think Id be looking at making up some sort of aluminium plate to rivet over the damage. You could put one on the inside as well to strengthen things up. Depends on what you can live with looks wise.
Click to expand...
Thanks Shifty. That sounds like good advice. I am not too bothered with looks as I'd rather it worked well and was strong.
 
Alcoholic hand rub in all the locks and around the push button on the handle. Nuffin has frozen yet coldest temp here this winter -19.
 
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