Door Handle gasket

[marpel]

2012 Sierra, extended cab.

 

It appears the gasket on both outside door handles has deteriorated and fallen out of their respective location. These gaskets apparently prevent water from getting into the handles when the doors are closed and the handles are in their resting position. They are visible when the door handle is pulled open and hang relatively loosely on a "pin" or whatever it is called that moves in and out of the handle structure. They are only about  an eighth of an inch thick and an inch by an inch, with a square-isn cutout to fit around the afore-mentioned "pin". Sorry for the long description.

 

I attended the parts dept of the local dealer to see about ordering some replacement gaskets. However, I was told the gaskets are not sold separately and the entire handle structure would have to be purchased. That's $65 each (just to get a couple 5 cent gaskets).  And I was also informed that it is not possible to replace just the gasket without completely taking apart the handle, if that is even possible.

 

Is anyone familiar with these gaskets and/or have any experience with their replacement. The gaskets look easy to make (I have the majority of one of them and could easily duplicate it from generic gasket material) and I don't have a problem doing the work myself but am unsure if the handle could be taken apart enough to accomplish the replacement.

 

Thanks,

 

Marv

[carnau]

20 hours ago, marpel said:

2012 Sierra, extended cab.

 

It appears the gasket on both outside door handles has deteriorated and fallen out of their respective location. These gaskets apparently prevent water from getting into the handles when the doors are closed and the handles are in their resting position. They are visible when the door handle is pulled open and hang relatively loosely on a "pin" or whatever it is called that moves in and out of the handle structure. They are only about  an eighth of an inch thick and an inch by an inch, with a square-isn cutout to fit around the afore-mentioned "pin". Sorry for the long description.

 

I attended the parts dept of the local dealer to see about ordering some replacement gaskets. However, I was told the gaskets are not sold separately and the entire handle structure would have to be purchased. That's $65 each (just to get a couple 5 cent gaskets).  And I was also informed that it is not possible to replace just the gasket without completely taking apart the handle, if that is even possible.

 

Is anyone familiar with these gaskets and/or have any experience with their replacement. The gaskets look easy to make (I have the majority of one of them and could easily duplicate it from generic gasket material) and I don't have a problem doing the work myself but am unsure if the handle could be taken apart enough to accomplish the replacement.

 

Thanks,

 

Marv

First off let me say that these handles are very easy to come off but a little bit of a hassle to get back on. I can make a quick video if you need me to to show you how. I am sure it is already on youtube somewhere. 

 

I have actually repaired this on my friends vehicle. His truck was in a wreck and he bought new handles on ebay and they didn't come with the gasket... SO...

Get this and a razer... works like a charm. - http://amzn.to/2qUeDvI

[marpel]

Chris,

Thanks very much for your response.

Just to clarify, though, are you saying that the handle can be taken apart and a new gasket inserted? I was advised by the parts rep that one has to buy the entire handle assembly (with the gasket already in place) because the assembly can't be taken apart. And all the youtube vids I have found only show how to remove the handle from the door and not how to actually take the handle apart. The gasket (as you probably already know) surrounds the "post" (as in a "squared" circle like a donut and the "post" goes through the hole) that moves in and out as the handle is pulled open and released (when opening and closing the door) and there appears to be no obvious way to get the gasket into its place without taking the handle apart.

As mentioned, I have no problem taking a run at fabricating a couple gaskets and inserting them myself if I was confident that the handle actually comes apart - without breaking some pins, clips or the like, and could also be put back together.

Marv 

[carnau]

Ok so this is a replacement handle off a 2012 sierra. The black part is what we are talking about?

 

[marpel]

Chris,

 

No, the large gasket that seals the entire handle against the door is not the one I am talking about (can't take a photo of my truck handle right now as I am not near my truck at the moment).

 

Presumably the handle you are showing is the same as mine in this respect - if you pull open the handle, there is a small (about an inch by an inch) gasket that surrounds the "post" (not sure how to better describe this part but it moves in and out of the hole in the rest of the apparatus when you pull on the handle) at one end (the end that is not hinged) of the handle. The gasket can not be seen unless the handle is pulled away from the rest of the handle apparatus, as when opening the door.

 

Actually, in your second photo of the rear of the apparatus, adjacent to you first finger, it looks like that black squarish thing is the "post" I am talking about. If you turn it over and pull on the handle, this "post" pulls part way out of the hole and encircling the post is the gasket. The gasket is not secured to anything and is only held in place by the post, and it actually moves a bit when pulling the handle. I presume the gasket prevents water from entering the hole and is held in place by pressure when the handle is closed.

 

Marv

 

 

[carnau]

Ok I understand exactly what you're talking about. I will look at it again tonight and see how hard it is to remove the actual handle part itself. I will take pictures.