Outside door handle is broken

[sortsol]

OK, hopefully this is an easy one. I have a 94 xlt. Today, my neighbor went to get in my car and pulled on my outside door handle while it was locked. Of course, the door didn't open. I unlocked it and once again he pulled on it and it still did nothing, almost like a piece inside of it either came off or broke. My question is, is it more logical that a piece came off or a piece inside broke, and how hard is it to fix. Or should I just get off my a$$ and pull the panelling see what really happened. I am planning on doing that on Saturday, but I was wondering what to expect. How hard is it to pull the paneling off on a 94?

On an unrelated note, I finally got my Warn manuals installed today. They work much better than my broken auto hubs.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Perry]

Taking the door panel off isn't that hard. There are a few screws then you just have to reach in behind around the edges and undo the hooks. They are like little buttons.

On your handle, there are two rivets that you will have to drill out to get the handle off. There shouldn't be anyway something broke unless it was the plastic part on the handle.
Yes they are a pain in the butt, but you can do it.
When you drill out the handle rivets make sure and take a punch and punch out the center before you try and drill it.
I have heard of people using bolts to put it back on, but I have always used new rivets. It take a big rivet gun you might have to rent.

 

[sortsol]

I'm not sure the handle itself is broken. It seems intact and the spring is still good. I just don't think anything is connected to the handle so either it got disconnected or broke. Correct me if I'm wrong.