Driver Assist Handle

egxflash · March 29, 2017

There shouldn't be any gap. Mine fit just as the other trim piece did. Are the bolt holes lines up properly? I had to spent a few minutes getting frustrated with it to ensure it was lined up properly and that all the edges lined up.

Here's one I found for example: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/158271-interior-driver-assist-handle/?p=1754532

Very slight but u can tell it's not butted up as tight against the headliner.

Donstar · March 30, 2017

Anybody else have a sliiiiiiight gap at the top? Mine seems to sit a hair lower than the old one and creates a tiny gap by the windshield.

I've already got the covers for the bolts though and didn't want to risk marring it by trying to take them off and adjusting it.

I like to do things twice and ended up popping off the caps to realign my grab handle. Second attempt was perfect. The caps do mark easily so you do need to be very careful. I took some fine sand paper and smoothed the edge of one of the caps before I snapped it back.

sk · March 30, 2017

Make sure you don't have the rubber weatherstrip pinched between the trim and the A-pillar. I don't have a photo handy but on the driver's side it is on the edge nearest to the window and runs the whole length of the grab handle trim piece front top to bottom. If you get that pinched the trim won't snug up correctly.

ADDED IN EDIT:

Look at the right picture in Post #26 above. The rubber is located on the left side of the trim piece in that photo.

Krusty · March 31, 2017

Grab handle arrived today - easy install - used a credit card to pry the rubber door jamb seal back enough to grab the plain cover with my fingers - popped right off - no tools - no touching the easily soiled headliner. (Why don't they have black headliners). Then just a matter of lining up the holes - thread on with a 1/4" nut driver as far as possible. Then carefully tightened with a 1/4" ratchet, being sure to protect the windshield from the ratchet handle.

Was thinking I would only use it for getting out - but it seems handy getting in too - no wonder they put them is HD's...... Now I am grab handle symmetrical.

Bought it from this eBay seller / Chevy dealer - arrived in 3 days - correct gray color for my black interior:

http://stores.ebay.com/Abernethy-Chevrolet-of-Lincolnton?_dmd=2&_nkw=23285090

egxflash · March 31, 2017

Make sure you don't have the rubber weatherstrip pinched between the trim and the A-pillar. I don't have a photo handy but on the driver's side it is on the edge nearest to the window and runs the whole length of the grab handle trim piece front top to bottom. If you get that pinched the trim won't snug up correctly.

ADDED IN EDIT:

Look at the right picture in Post #26 above. The rubber is located on the left side of the trim piece in that photo.

Nope. Already checked for that. It's okay, thanks for the suggestions guys but I think the molding is slightly flared at the top corner. Like I said, it's not really a gap, just not as tightly butted up at the top corner by the windshield as the passenger side.

Also, I don't want to take it off like a previous poster suggested because he ended up marring the cap that he had to sand it to get rid of the marks - then I'll just notice that!

Crstfr · March 31, 2017

cheaper here

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oe-gm/23135699

Krusty · March 31, 2017

cheaper here

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oe-gm/23135699

GM Parts Direct is great - ordered from them many times - but not for a single item - check shipping charges......

Subtotal Amount: $39.00

Estimated Shipping: $25.84

Crstfr · March 31, 2017

GM Parts Direct is great - ordered from them many times - but not for a single item - check shipping charges......

good call

Krusty · March 31, 2017

I see the grab handle is part of a $370 package for the 1500 - guess that really makes it a good DIY buy............ and not just for HD's like I was thinking.......

Sierra706 · March 31, 2017

I see the grab handle is part of a $370 package for the 1500 - guess that really makes it a good DIY buy............ and not just for HD's like I was thinking.......

icp.jpg

I bought the handle for 50 bucks and the organizer for 40. I'm sure you could find the storage bin for significantly less than 180 dollars

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Donstar · March 31, 2017

Nope. Already checked for that. It's okay, thanks for the suggestions guys but I think the molding is slightly flared at the top corner. Like I said, it's not really a gap, just not as tightly butted up at the top corner by the windshield as the passenger side.

Also, I don't want to take it off like a previous poster suggested because he ended up marring the cap that he had to sand it to get rid of the marks - then I'll just notice that!

I marred my first cap (learning curve) but with a fine grit sandpaper (two or three passes) it is perfect. Your slight gap would annoy me far more than the non-visible mark on one cap. Before attempting to remove the caps, I was worried like you and was prepared to order new caps. I was not prepared to accept a less than perfect fit. You may also consider returning and exchanging your new assist handle if it wont fit as intended.

egxflash · March 31, 2017

I marred my first cap (learning curve) but with a fine grit sandpaper (two or three passes) it is perfect. Your slight gap would annoy me far more than the non-visible mark on one cap. Before attempting to remove the caps, I was worried like you and was prepared to order new caps. I was not prepared to accept a less than perfect fit. You may also consider returning and exchanging your new assist handle if it wont fit as intended.

Like i said, it's not a gap. Thanks guys for the help, really, butI'm sorry I used the wrong word initially.

I will likely try another trim to see if it butts up against the headliner better than the one I have now. I don't think Id be as good as you with the sandpaper to get it *perfect* as you say.

egxflash · March 31, 2017

If you guys are Costco members, you can get a 15% off coupon through them and that brings the part down to $42.50 from the dealer.

paulny · June 19, 2018

Hey everyone, newbie here. Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I received my first grab handle for my new '18 Sierra Denali and when trying to install, I hit the top portion fairly hard to get that little metal clip to clip in to the top hole before I started the 2 bolts. In doing so, the force created the top of the grab handle to bend every so slightly creating a crease which almost looks like a scratch. Therefore, I ordered another new one since they are cheap and it will be here Thursday. Without pressing that clip in which took the force of the butt of my hand, there was a huge gap at the top. Did most it not all of you install and tighten the two bolts first and then apply pressure at the top to close the gap/get the metal clip to lock in place? I tried simply pushing the top in first, but it seemed impossible to get the metal clip to go into the tight fitting. So, I used a little force and the "scratch" that appears now is directly in line with the inner plastic base that holds the metal clip. I can only assume this caused stress on that area when I hit it with my hand causing it to bend ever so slightly. Sorry for the long post, but I want to be clear as to what happened and more importantly get feedback so I don't do it again lol. Thanks so much for any advice or help.

dougwtx · June 19, 2018

I had some issues installing one on my 2018 GMC and broke the first one too. My problem was the center plastic stub. I had to trim a bit of the surrounding legs at the base so it would fit. The top metal clip also gave me issues but I discovered it was slightly off when I was trying to press it into place. Once I got it exactly centered, it popped right it. I had installed the driver-side assist in my 2015 GMC and don't recall it being difficult as when installing it on the 2018.