Do Not make the same mistake as I did (to fix a loose 96 960 door handle)!

This is what I found: “The handle assembly is "pop-rivet"ed to the door sheet metal. You will need to remove the inner door panel and then drill out the pop rivet to get the handle where you can see what is what” posted by Jbowers in 2004. I’m sure he meant well. However, do not drill out the pop-rivet! I mean DO NOT. Do not even attempt to remove the door handle assembly. All you need is a small Philips screw driver or some sort of metal stick or a small punch to push the pin downward while holding the handle and look plastic piece with another hand. This way, all the small parts will not fly everywhere once the pin is out. If you got a replacement assembly, do the same to it to get the spring. Then, assemble the old parts with the new spring onto the base unit riveted to the door. If you are too cheap to get a replacement assembly like me, remove the spring from the rear door handle and use it on the front. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes! For me, however, I’m looking for the right sized rivets or small screws to put everything back together. What a waste of time! Erwin

The local Volvo dealer painted this grave and very technical picture of the fix to a broken driver handle spring. Rivets, drilling, body panels, and all manner of expensive, parts, labour, and intensive procedures.

In the end, the price they wanted was prohibitive, so I asked a friend who used to be head mechanic at another Volvo dealership. He said the spring was definately available separately, and that no rivit need to be drilled out. The spring, which I did get at the dealer, cost 32 cents.

Dealers of late have become 'parts replacers, many with little technical troubleshooting skill. Caveat emptor to us all, as the saying goes!! Thank God for the Brickboard.

Erwin, thanks: I added your comments to the FAQ.
Steve
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See the 700/900 FAQ at the drop-down menu above right.

hello
that is strange as i have removed 5 or 6 960 door handles and none had rivets.
they must be removed from the inside out.