The one time my dad rode in my '95 Bonneville, he hung all of his weight on the passenger assist handle (which my ex-wife always called the "oh sh1t! handle") above the front passenger door getting into the car and broke it off. To be fair, he's had two hip replacements and really needs the handle, which had been broken once before. One of the anchor tabs on the side closest to the windshield was already broken and the previous owner had reinstalled it with a screw (not exactly sure what it was screwed into) for added stability.

I'd like to just put it back with a screw again, just for cosmetic purposes, but the thing is, I've never been able to get that handle to go back into its slot. I even broke off the other tab on the broken end trying to do it. I've also tried to take a couple of handles, off of donor cars at the junkyard and have only succeeded in breaking off their tabs as well.

There must be some sort of trick to removing and installing these handles that I'm just not seeing. Anybody know what it is and care to let me in on it?

Just for curiosity, are there other GM cars (Buick LeSabres and Olds 88's maybe?) that use the same handle or one that's compatible. Might improve the odds of finding one the right color. I need light gray, but charcoal wouldn't look bad.

Thanks!

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Daily Driver: 2011 Chevy Impala LT
Weekend Toy: 1995 Olds Aurora
Sold but not forgotten: 1997 Olds LSS 1995 Pontiac Bonneville SLE

About the only trick I would suggest is adding heat. That plastic is so brittle, I have broken just about all of the ones I have touched as well. Use a heat gun on it for 30 seconds to a minute, be careful not to let the plastic bubble, and then try. Or you could use a hair dryer, it will just take longer.

Oh, and those handles aren't made to handle ANY weight. Stupid. Although GM did fix that for 00+, I can put nearly all my weight onto those handles. They have metal brackets inside the plastic.

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Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Just curious, is there a handle off any GM truck or other GM vehicle that would fit in it's place? I sure need to use the handle, but can't as it is very brittle and know it would break off. Thanks - BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

What color is your interior?

human posted: Just for curiosity, are there other GM cars (Buick LeSabres and Olds 88's maybe?) that use the same handle or one that's compatible. Might improve the odds of finding one the right color. I need light gray, but charcoal wouldn't look bad.


I need "saddle", tan, buckskin, or whatever color it's called. - BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

Saddle Tan is the closest SEM matched color for yours, 1oldman. The actual color is 'camel'.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

I have one in grey, but it also has a broken clip. I will be going to the JY this week and see if I can locate one. I had pretty good luck finding them in good shape the last time I looked.

Good. I need a RF and one of the rear (forget which)!

(camel, keep your eyes peeled)

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

If you honestly need to use the handle, then start looking at a custom one-off. The original probably wouldn't even hold 20lbs.

_________________
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited

2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 55k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 95k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 260k | Official Bonneville Hauler

Sure, plan on going next week.

My originals lasted a pretty darn long time. I have no complaints if I'm just now starting to have problems on the 93.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Dad has a '97 Olds 88 and a '98 Buick LeSabre and he regularly hangs his whole (not inconsiderable) weight on the handles of those when he's getting in and out of the passenger side of those cars without any problems. Maybe I need to look at getting a Buick or an Olds handle.

From a functional standpoint, I don't really miss the handle. My concern is mainly aesthetic as the holes in the headliner where it mounts are pretty ugly. Seems like getting one off a junk car intact is as big an issue as putting one in. I've broken at least three trying to harvest them.

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Daily Driver: 2011 Chevy Impala LT
Weekend Toy: 1995 Olds Aurora
Sold but not forgotten: 1997 Olds LSS 1995 Pontiac Bonneville SLE

A different handle won't help you. It's the way the handle ATTACHES that causes the breaking point, but only after years of use. The handles are actually quite strong to a point.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Huh, I was able to pull a couple frm the salvage yard, just with careful pressure from a screwdriver. Just snapped back into place in my car, and has held great now for a few years. We don't probably use the handle that much, but it does seem pretty solid up there. I totally understand the wanting something there to cover the holes where it's missing, that was why I went out in search of one too, since the car was without when we purchased it. Good luck!

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TomS.
1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
sold Dec, 2014

Went to the yard today and only found red and grey interiors. The grey interiors already had the handles removed. There was one tan interior, but it was the light tan and not the camel you need, but those were ripped out without even having the pins pulled and all the clips were broken.

It was funny because there were 3 chevettes there and only one 87-91 bonneville and it was hit hard in the b-pillar on the drivers' side.