Si - thanks for the great idea and inspiration and also thanks to everyone else for the advice.

 

Finally managed to replace the door handles and the result is amazing. This has to be the cheapest, simplest and best solution to improving the interior and I have to say that the previously 'tired' and 'worn' interior is now looking a lot fresher and the chrome handles look very classy and modern.

 

Highly recommended to everyone.

 

I will post photos and details later today.

looking forward to the pics... gonna hunt some down for myself I think :)

Photos of how it looked before:

 

 

And after:

 

In the end, I decided to try it without removing the door cards. It took about 40-50 minutes in total and was certainly very fiddly and frustrating but worked out in the end. I have no doubt that with the door cards removed, it would have taken 5 mins per door but removing door cards cleanly and refitting them is not a skill we all have!

 

In terms of the work itself:

 

1. Remove the trim around the handle by prising out the plastic from all 4 sides. I used a flat blade screwdriver. Be careful though, as you may want to keep the original for that rainy day!

Once removed, it should look like the following:

 

2. Undo the screw that holds the whole unit to the door and free it.

 

3. The photo below shows the rod for opening the door.

 

Below is a photo showing the rod for the central locking.

 

 

First, pull the door rod out of the hole in the lever using a screw driver to lift it. This is quite easy.

 

Next, pull out the rod for the central locking from the hole in the lock button. I found this very tricky and the only method I found to work was to pull the whole unit out of the door and effectively twist it so that the central locking rod was visible. This is OK as it seems it is designed to twist. The rod is released when the clip holding it is pulled off the rod.

 

4. The fitting of the new unit is the same process in reverse.

 

The hardest bit is fitting the central locking rod in to the required hole. Persevere however, and you shall succeed! It took me 30 mins to do the first door and almost the same to do the second. The second was the RH door and the angle was not as good for me personally. Like I said before, if the door card was off, the actual fitting time is probably 10-15 mins total as opposed to 40-50 mins.

 

The end result though is nice.

 

 

 

Just need to sort out a new handbrake grip and I'll be happy...for now!

Nice work! It doesn't just look better, but I am sure you've noticed, it 'feels' better. :)

Definitely. The feel is real quality. Combined with the looks, it's a great upgrade.

 

Just need a decent interior mirror now as the OEM looks like it's from my mum's 1990 Micra!

 

Then there's the cheap looking Micra wipers...

Yeah, the wiper arm is one of my big pet hates. I've searched for ones from other cars, but I can't find any that are just indicator and main beam ones only.

 

As for the mirror, I've got a wild idea to try and retro fit one of the auto dimming ones from a new model Nissan. Not sure how possible that will be.

Edited October 3, 200916 yr by FunkySi

lol.

looks good mate.

 

Think i might have a wee looky for some of those handles.

Definitely. The feel is real quality. Combined with the looks, it's a great upgrade.

 

Just need a decent interior mirror now as the OEM looks like it's from my mum's 1990 Micra!

 

Then there's the cheap looking Micra wipers...

 

Nice work. I will find a set of these one day if it's the last thing I do!!!! Been looking for ages!!

I tried my local scrap yard not expecting any success and was lucky!

I got some of these today too :D - I got a pair for 25 quid including the connecting rods?.. not like i need them lol - But Thanks for the write up Pervez and thanks for another brilliant idea Si! :D

I just got a pair from Nissan, I think it was the front passenger side that is no longer available....but the rear passenger side handle is and is the same part with a diff number ;)

Very clever!

That looks great buddy........

 

.......I must get a pair of those as well. It's a nice subtle upgrade and it certainly adds a bit more of a quality feel to the interior.

 

Nice write up as well!!

 

Richard:)

It must be one of the best £20 I've ever spent.

Ive been in contact with a few ebay breakers after seeing this and got a few offers for chrome handles now off of mavericks and terranos mostly around the £20 mark what an excellent cheap mod ill be getting some soon :)

 

Marty

Very nice mate :)

I just got a pair from Nissan, I think it was the front passenger side that is no longer available....but the rear passenger side handle is and is the same part with a diff number ;)

 

How much were they and what year/spec Terrano did you have to quote?

 

Andy

Photos of how it looked before:

 

 

And after:

 

In the end, I decided to try it without removing the door cards. It took about 40-50 minutes in total and was certainly very fiddly and frustrating but worked out in the end. I have no doubt that with the door cards removed, it would have taken 5 mins per door but removing door cards cleanly and refitting them is not a skill we all have!

 

In terms of the work itself:

 

1. Remove the trim around the handle by prising out the plastic from all 4 sides. I used a flat blade screwdriver. Be careful though, as you may want to keep the original for that rainy day!

Once removed, it should look like the following:

 

2. Undo the screw that holds the whole unit to the door and free it.

 

3. The photo below shows the rod for opening the door.

 

Below is a photo showing the rod for the central locking.

 

 

First, pull the door rod out of the hole in the lever using a screw driver to lift it. This is quite easy.

 

Next, pull out the rod for the central locking from the hole in the lock button. I found this very tricky and the only method I found to work was to pull the whole unit out of the door and effectively twist it so that the central locking rod was visible. This is OK as it seems it is designed to twist. The rod is released when the clip holding it is pulled off the rod.

 

4. The fitting of the new unit is the same process in reverse.

 

The hardest bit is fitting the central locking rod in to the required hole. Persevere however, and you shall succeed! It took me 30 mins to do the first door and almost the same to do the second. The second was the RH door and the angle was not as good for me personally. Like I said before, if the door card was off, the actual fitting time is probably 10-15 mins total as opposed to 40-50 mins.

 

The end result though is nice.

 

 

 

Just need to sort out a new handbrake grip and I'll be happy...for now!

 

have a look at Isotta they do a black leather and chrome one that will compliment those handles perfectly (see my rides section!!)

 

Andy

Do mavericks fit?

Do mavericks fit?

 

 

Yes.

looks like somthing im going have to do to mine now :)

have a look at Isotta they do a black leather and chrome one that will compliment those handles perfectly (see my rides section!!)

 

Andy

Flippin eck mate, did yer have to quote all the pics and whole post just for that sentence :mac1:

smithy

:rofl:

:rofl: :rofl: