David
Hatch Pull Down Handle Repair/Modfication
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Hatch Pull Down Handle Repair/Modfication
The ABS plastic hatch pull down handle cracked near the right screw mounting hole. The design was not very robust. I repaired by removing the original handle and replaced with a 2" wide black leather strap made from thick belt leather. I put a radius on both ends of the "cut to length" leather strap and dyed the cut ends of the leather strap with a black leather dye. I used the original mounting screws, but I added 1" diameter black nylon washers on the screws to help distribute the clamping load. The modification is more robust than the original plastic handle and I think it also looks a little better. The black leather pull down strap blends in with the inner hatch panel. I allowed for a slight downward bow in the leather strap to provide for additional finger clearance. The new leather pull down strap also has a more comfortable feel than that of the ABS plastic handle, since the leather is soft and flexible.
Broken OEM Handle - Crack in ABS Plastic Handle at Red Arrow
New Black Leather Pull Down Strap
Broken OEM Handle - Crack in ABS Plastic Handle at Red Arrow
New Black Leather Pull Down Strap
Last edited by calemasters; Aug 18, 2009 at 03:05 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 247
From: Weatherford TX
My 09 didn't have the handle. I added one, but GM does not have the underneath mounting hardware in place that is there with a factory installed handle. I drilled the 2 holes in the surround, threaded the surround material to hold screw, and used JB Weld epoxy to hold the 2 screws in place. It works, but no future tightening of the screws once epoxy set up.
Here are photos of my 07 with factory handle.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Karman19...Iuczbmgx6CVMw#
The threaded fitting in the surround I could not find. Home Depot had some sort of fitting that is too tall to fit in the surround.
Here are photos of my 07 with factory handle.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Karman19...Iuczbmgx6CVMw#
The threaded fitting in the surround I could not find. Home Depot had some sort of fitting that is too tall to fit in the surround.
Last edited by kenrobb; Aug 18, 2009 at 03:49 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
My 2006 had the handle and I liked it, put a piece of white tape on the handle so it was easier to find in dim light.
My 2009 does not have the handle, and I missed it. Using the center latch as a pull-down was less comfortable, and I had a faint fear that I'd close the hatch with my finger still in the hook.
I painted the rear edge of the hook with white paint, and also put a couple of strips of white tape alongside the hook so it is easier to locate in the dark, similar to what I did on the 2006.
After 6k miles with the new system, I'm comfortable with it and don't miss the handle.
Different strokes...
My 2009 does not have the handle, and I missed it. Using the center latch as a pull-down was less comfortable, and I had a faint fear that I'd close the hatch with my finger still in the hook.
I painted the rear edge of the hook with white paint, and also put a couple of strips of white tape alongside the hook so it is easier to locate in the dark, similar to what I did on the 2006.
After 6k miles with the new system, I'm comfortable with it and don't miss the handle.
Different strokes...
