Freelander 1, 2006, TDi, Rear Door Handle?

[Simessail]

Dear Sirs,
Ours is a hard top three-door, got about 105k on the clock.
So the Wife pulled the rear door handle off yesterday! I know, I had expected the door handle to be stronger than that, but all the same, it is now useless as anything other than a switch to operate the door locking and the rear window lowering system.
Does anyone know (or have any ideas) about rebuilding/repairing/reattaching said item?
Does anyone have one of these handles for sale?

Many thanks for your help and advise,

Simes

 

[Nodge68]

Lots of threads with various repair ideas. Or buy a new one, they're about £80.

 

[Simessail]

Thanks for the help. I did a search but did not turn any threads up.
I will try again . . .

Where have you seen them for £80?

Simes

 

[Nodge68]

Looks like the price has gone up since I last looked. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/292984789894

 

[marjon]

Got any pics of the damage? May also help.

Don’t mess with the wife, she’s stronger than you think

J

 

[Nodge68]

Got any pics of the damage? May also help.

Don’t mess with the wife, she’s stronger than you think

J

It's common for an aging handle to break. The problem is there's a delay between pulling the lever and the latch releasing. However the handle is often pulled before the latch has been allowed to release, which breaks a weakened handle off.

 

[Simessail]

Yes, that is exactly what happened here. the delay resulted in the Wife pulling the door open (or not as in this case!) and ripping the handle off.

There appear to be two plastic mounts that are attached to a square nut through bolted from the inside of the door and one metal "push-fit" attachment point on the door that is now rusted and has split the plastic mount on the handle.

It is looking more and more like a new handle will be needed.
Thanks for the info and encouragement,

Simes

 

[websun]

Yep these get quite expensive these days. Especially when you have to buy one just for the rubber gasket as sometimes water gets in through there and failing bulbs etc. It's on my watch list if somebody sells one without knowing what it is (happens) I will nick it.

 

[Simessail]

So, I followed the advice I found on Landyzone. Carefully prised off the Land Rover Badge from the Tailgate handle.
Removed the four screws from the bottom of the Tailgate door card and then carefully removed the door card.
Unbolted the door handle, disconnected the electrics, took it inside.
I found a large 76mm self-tapping bolt (amazingly the colour of the bolt head is a fine shade of metallic grey just like the Freelander) where I had removed the Land Rover badge from is a mark in the moulding, drilled a hole just a little bit smaller than the self tapper's diameter.
Made a mark on the door skin with the self tapper Drilled a hole in the door skin smaller than the self tapper.
Then replaced the electrics, checked that they worked before using the self tapper to re-attach the door handle.
Replace the door skin.

Seems to be a good strong repair, I may keep it this way.

Thanks for the help and advise.