Vlog 32: Fixing the broken sliding door handle on my camper van

On a recent trip, the handle to the sliding door to the campervan was pulled out of its mounting such that it would no longer open the door but just hung there limply on the side of the van.
After some internet research (which threw up no videos about how to do this on a van but one video about how to do a similar task on a car door - see • How to Replace a Toyot... ), I had a go at fixing it and this video shows how you do it.
The principle appears to be applicable to all kinds of cars, vans etc even if yours is not a Toyota Proace (which is what my van is)
If you liked the video and wish to leave me a tip, thank you!
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Parts and tools used in my van build:
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DeWalt mitre saw: geni.us/Van_De...
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Sink unit: geni.us/Van_Si...
Fridge: geni.us/Van_Co...
Heater unit: geni.us/Van_Pr...
Inverter: geni.us/Van_In...
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Solar charger: geni.us/Van_So...
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[@cadencechrome4783]

You've become quite adept at diving into these various problems whether on the boat or with the van. Your can-do attitude is encouraging! Well done!

[@CallmeRogerRoger]

Those that don't dare take a chance to fix something they don't fully understand miss the wonderfully fulfilling feeling of having done it yourself. Way to to!!

[@ShiresMatt]

Well done David, that saved a few pounds in garage costs 👍🏻 get the navigator to wash your van as a punishment for breaking your door handle 😂

[@Vandemonium]

Haha I like that idea! She may not...

[@billwakefield5005]

David,having watched all 32 of your camper van conversion videos over the last few days,I must say that your ingenuity,your ability to overcome all the obstacles you encounter,your versatility and your never say die attitude are truly inspiring.A wonderful marathon effort,an example to us all.for Now I can return to watching your brilliant Cruising the Cut vlogs !

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you Bill!

[@andrewpoloni4197]

Well done! A friendly suggestion: I find a headband-mounted flashlight with some bright LEDs is often very helpful for similar sorts of work. :)

[@carolinemarsh7806]

My husband always says that I am going to break a door handle some day as I like to check if I have locked the doors properly! I’m impressed with how you were able to fix it yourself. Well done!

[@hans2406]

I can Imagine your husband will get more worried now you know how easy the repair seems to be.....

[@crochetcomfort1654]

My husband wanted to put a new clock in his 2003 toyota. It only worked a few years. The dealer wanted several hundred bucks. My husband googled it and fixed it 9 years ago, its still going. Thanks for the demo

[@ivarwb4115]

There is something very special about that feeling, when you've fixed something on your car, and it's actually working!! The feeling of kings and gods! I presume...

[@hefran22]

Fine vlog entry with a nice and simple solution. The problem of loosing a smal screw off the screwdriver can be solved by using a magnetic screwdriver, or by magnetizing your old screwdriver with a little cheap magnetizing/demagnetizing tool: a square plastic thing with a square hole surrounded by magnets. An alternative is a little round magnet with a hole (like a ring) that you can slip over the screwdriver, making it magnetic.

[@Vandemonium]

Good tips! Ta

[@irongoatrocky2343]

FYI a way to prevent dropping that torx nut/screw is to take and put a small strong magnet on the shaft of your screw driver! this makes it magnetic and thus should prevent dropping fiddly bits inside the door!

[@lakelady57]

Love it, excellent tip and then the little bit at the end, I was thinking it was a bit dirty but then so is my car and you made reference which just made me laugh.

[@NimbleBard48]

My father was working on this handle for an hour before I decided to quickly check KZbin. THe handle is now fixed after a couple of minutes. Thanks xD

[@Vandemonium]

Haha excellent!

[@toronado455]

Nicely done! I'm glad this went easier than expected for you. If gaffers tape is the same as duct tape, then that's probably sealed up just fine. 😊

[@paulonthemove5543]

Thank you, I now can tackle the handle on my Renault Master work van that I noticed yesterday was coming loose and did not feel like tackling as I never had to fix one of them before. Many thanks for doing the research it should not take to long tomorrow lunch time.

[@Vandemonium]

Hopefully it'll be much the same; good luck

[@colinracheljustpootling7468]

Everyday is an education. If you don’t learn something new daily, you have to give up. Good job Mr Johns

[@ncplantdoctor]

I would never have thought to look for that plug on the side of the door. And then the screw and then the door handle part and so on. It reminds me of the song: Toe bone connected to the foot bone , Foot bone connected to the heel bone. Good job with a hint from Mr. Google.

[@LordKhaos194271]

I would like to give you a biiiiig thank for this video. My work car Proace had this problem for couple of years. Today I started to fix it. I opened inside handle cover and figured out and realized that didn't help. Then I went to KZbin and found your video. I fixed my handle in one minute. 💪💪

[@Vandemonium]

Glad it helped 😀😀

[@LordKhaos194271]

@@Vandemonium I love this power of KZbin. And it was funny that another person has also done same mistake when dismantling the inside door handle just to realize it didn't help at all :D Maybe one day another viewer reads these comments before to avoid extra work :)

[@pootle2768]

Brilliant! Is there no end to your talents? You were so patient and methodical!

[@LisaMarli]

Glad everyone does that the same way. Fiddly but doable. And the auto repair shop would have charged you an hour in labor for that. You are a very clever man. And a dirty van means you had a great travel adventure. Never feel guilty about a dirty van.

[@btheiman]

Thank you 😀 my new door handle was in place in about ten minutes. Could never have guessed how to do it 😊

[@Vandemonium]

Glad I could help!

[@espowari]

I don't own a van, yet just thoroughly enjoyed watching this video! Keep up the awesomeness David!

[@petersargent4078]

Well done indeed. Often wondered what lay behind that bung on the sliding door and now I know. Never needed to remove it, thanks. I feel this may go viral among sliding van door owners!

[@r.m.5730]

David, I really enjoy the trips you have made in the vehicle. Please reconsider making a video on how to change the windshield wiping blades next . Many thanks, Richard M.

[@RobertThz]

Ingenious. Easy to install at the factory, easy to fix, and the plastic handle will fail due to embrittlement within 10 years, thus driving sales of spare parts. Very clever!

[@patriciap5840]

As someone who panics over a flat tire, I found this oddly mesmerizing! Beautiful job of it, David - I am muchly impressed! That must have felt SO satisfying...

[@Vandemonium]

I was rather pleased!

[@southjerseysound7340]

Patricia, my ex also would panic over a flat etc. But I taught her on a nice day without any stress what to do for a flat tire, dead battery etc and it really helped. I added a little bar for leverage, a proper lug wrench, gloves, wheel chocks etc to the tool kit along with a cheat sheet in case of a problem and it really helped with the stress. All the tools cost next to nothing and beat the junk they put in the car and should be there anyway. She had a flat with our daughter in the heat and had no problem doing the job. She called for roadside assistance but was able to fix it in 20 min. You'd be amazed at what a few extra things in the tool kit and a lesson at home can do. Just don't be afraid to ask.

[@lotsoflavender31]

We don’t have a van but that was a very handy wee bit of knowledge you passed on. Many thx.

[@LifeistooshortCK]

This is why I love KZbin so much. Free solutions to common problems. Thanks for sharing how its done 👍

[@hdevries2689]

Thanks very much David; we will, after watching your video, gonna try to fix the handle to the slidingdoor to the mercedez sprinter of my husband this saturday!! Dankjewel uit Nederland, Zeeuws Vlaanderen

[@hdevries2689]

Yes, your method did work👌

[@philippepicart3249]

I'm French and I had the same problem on my Fiat Scudo. Your video is the only one that I found. Thanks a lot !!!

[@Vandemonium]

Glad it helped

[@jamesa7506]

Good job, sir. You're becoming quite the auto/boat mechanic . We have here in the states repair manuals by Chilton / Haynes for almost every type of vehicle by year. They're excellent resources to have on hand. Yes your van needs a wash but the dirt is a (temporary) badge of honor giving witness to the actual use of its capabilities. Be safe out there.

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers. We have the Haynes manuals here but I've never been a huge fan of them, unfortunately.

[@southjerseysound7340]

@@Vandemonium I'm the same,the factory manuals such as Bentley for Vw are the best. But for the price and availability they're better than nothing.

[@sdbpost]

After that excellent bit of work it's clear you can no long claim to be rubbish at mechanical stuff. Not to mention all the gas and electric work, carpentry, and the all the work you do on the boat! Well done!

[@rlevo]

My Scudo work van has a broken handle on the right side. Very glad I watched this video, as I had no idea on how to approach this! FWIW, I've had the replacement for several months.......................!

[@Vandemonium]

Hahaha glad it's helped!

[@rlevo]

@@Vandemonium yes, it did! I did the repair today after work. Took me a little longer, as the broken ends of the handle were still inside, so needed to extract them first. But all in all, a fairly simple task! Thanks again!

[@Vandemonium]

I am very pleased to hear it! (Getting the bits out sounds tricky)

[@marshlogue23]

Congratulations on making the mundane seem heroic!

[@orcaflotta7867]

Mundane? Please man, that repair was done against all odds and, yes, heroic!

[@iordanlyubenov3317]

🎉 Thanks for the detailed video, today just changed my scudo sliding door handle, in just a 5 minutes. A big thanks

[@Vandemonium]

Glad it helped

[@jamble7k]

if only such finesse and precision were applied to your stuck chimney 😂

[@barbaragriffin869]

Good job! Wish my door handle would be such an easy fix, but the handle is snapped in two. A popsicle stick and gorilla glue worked for me.

[@normanboyes4983]

Well done - between life afloat and the van conversion you have turned into a ‘reet handyman’ 👍😀

[@opalg6162]

Super job. I love the fact that you will tackle any job that comes along. Yeah for you!!!

[@Jimmyjibbajabba]

Brill, my work vans handle went last week, took to door card off Saturday and found the same problem. I Know what I will be doing when have a spare min. I was even more surprised it's you love watching your narrow boat channel.

[@Jimmyjibbajabba]

Unfortunately it wasn't the problem 😟.

[@Vandemonium]

Damn! ☹️

[@claremontinteriorsmw]

Helped me as well thankyou One thing though, I fitted a new handle and once I put the back part of the handle through the hole and in position I then moved the handle with a little bit of force forwards and the hock part of the handle slipped over the sprung part of the lock mechanism so no fiddling with a screwdriver or string BONUS👍

[@pvangalder]

Great Fun watching you work as usual David..cheers

[@judithmatthews8460]

Wow I’m so impressed. That to the person with 10 thumbs like me would have been a stomach churning trip to the garage who would probably have charged for a new door. 🤦‍♀️. You are now officially my hero 🦸🏼‍♂️

[@keithwelton]

Another well made vlog containing how to information with a bit of entertainment for those of us on the couch shouting at the screen, look behind the rubber grommet, before you went to the trouble of removing the inner door panel.

[@Vandemonium]

Hahaha it's easy once you know!!

[@grahamknott3348]

David, you are correct, your van does need a good cleaning, the rain will not clean the bottom halves of the panels.

[@Vandemonium]

I know! I've left it two weeks already and it's still inexplicable filthy! ;-)

[@brianthomsen1163]

Any dirt on an RV or campervan is a badge of honor. It indicates adventure!

[@lindapeterson5810]

excellnt! Must have been a great trip - always is, when the vehicle ends up dirty!

[@katcankan7129]

Very useful video indeed sir 👍

[@bxmachine]

Job well done! One less Shredded Wheat for the navigator😉 In the back of the car i always carry Gaffer tape and cable ties, they've fixed a few brake down situations over the years👍

[@Vandemonium]

Yep the tape is a permanent addition to the van now!

[@alainjimenez4584]

Good job David. Got it done perfectly without a repair manual. I am a bit worried dropping that screw inside the panel door, that would be a mess. What we do ib a workshop with those kind of screw is stick a tiny magnet or jam a sticky door sealant on the torx to prevent it from falling. Cheers Mate.

[@ceeceety2320]

Now, you'll be the first video on KZbin to explain how to fix a broken sliding door handle on a camper van! I think it's brilliant! You don't give yourself enough credit if you ask me, which you didn't, but I'm telling you anyway. Haha! Also want to mention that you've got two tiny homes to take care of, so, I think you're doing just fine. I'm sure the van will have a bath in due time. Cheers!

[@cleaner10399]

Good job, David. Right now I am having a bugger of a time getting my van started. My power cord had come unplugged, then late last night i found the wires had broke off inside the plug. Now it is -32c and i have a space heater under the hood with blankets over the bonnet and fenders. Hoping that works.

[@Vandemonium]

Oooh, rather you than me. Hope you get it sorted.

[@ahmedbaseer1]

God Bless you and your family. Thank you, I have the same problem on my Honda Odyssey van. I pulled it Hard while locked and broke off the handle from the plastic. You are absolutely right there is no videos showing how to fix it. Then by chance clicked your video and I believe after I glue the plastic back can latch it back same as your suggestion.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you for the very informative video David. You definitely used the proper adhesive for the cover on the access hole. Shouldn't have to worry about replacing it for the near future. That tape is pretty reliable stuff. Held parts of my old truck together for years.

[@Vandemonium]

!!

[@heartland96a]

Thank for the information ,never know when it will come in handy.

[@jeanneorourke7527]

You never cease to amaze!

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Can't beat a bit of old gaffer tape David

[@MikeWilliams-yp9kl]

Nice job you can find rubber grommets to fit the hole if need be but honestly gaffer tape is great. Nice to see your having fun poor (dirty) van mike

[@xjAlbert]

A year or two ago you claimed to be a “DIY numpty.” Well, you’ve come a l-o-n-g way, baby 😃

[@jeffr0]

That’s the other side of the plastic two-edged sword. Lightweight and rust-proof, but never will be as strong as steel. Great vid as always.

[@ronjohnson9690]

The bonus point; if it ever happens again. Good work, David.

[@cherylconrad1157]

Well done, when I start those 1 hour projects they turn into several days. Lucky you

[@Vandemonium]

I did worry about it being one of those!

[@paulcollins9397]

Those darn shop manuals helped me fix every vehicle I ever owned! It looked easy... on page 102! I’m now retired. I own a bicycle.

[@j.hankinson7803]

Tricky repair. Easy when you already know how to do it. Great job puzzling it out. Thanks for posting

[@oldiesoutdoors58]

i have just bought a Peugeot Expert Tepee with exactly the same handle problem .. thank you for the great video ... now i know what to do to sort it

[@Vandemonium]

Excellent! Glad it helped.

[@pedrolg]

This is only a simple repair video but highly entertaining to watch, for some reason.

[@Rogar0]

O.K. David, chapeau to you! I must admit you seem to turn your hand at most jobs to try and get them sorted; and as is in this case you've done it! Grand!

[@carolynevolpecurley547]

I'm absolutely convinced you could have built this van from scratch. Sorry you had to deal with this and outstanding job fixing it. In the freezing cold no less.

[@johnbrookes2196]

Brilliant David and now their is a video on how to fix this type of handle. I think most people would take it to there local mechanic

[@0HARE]

Bravo! for a job well done. You can be sure that this video will come up for any “Toyota van sliding door handle repair” searches in the future. Happy Camping

[@emmc9437]

Excellent! Not sure how you make these interesting for someone who knows only the start and stop process for vehicles, but you do.

[@Vandemonium]

Thank you!

[@johnwigglesworth7961]

A job well done David

[@MikeB_UK]

Ford Focus Mk2 rear door handles work and fasten the same way. I had the same crazy voyage of discovery on one of those. Useful video.

[@strangelee4400]

Every man on the planet nodded in appreciation of a job well done. A burst of shared pride reverberated from every corner of every land. You Sir, did your duty, and did it well. Salutations. I believe this days work deserves a 12 month extension on your Man card. Ignore the dismissive glares of apathy and bewilderment from the Womenfolk at your restorative deed...for they do not understand.

[@williambranham6249]

Nice problem solving. I hope there is not a micro crack on the plastic handle. At least if the handle body should fracture completely in the future the problem will be corrected easily.

[@andyrbush]

Glad you didn't stop for tea I always need a cup when you have one.

[@jerrystewart796]

I really liked the comment about the tape and how it might be on there for several years. That sounds like how I might do it.

[@donneal1352]

Job well done. Thank you for your time.

[@MagicaLucem]

Really useful video. Really Really useful video. One I will remember. .. It is just these impossibly crazy sort of car/van jobs that do tend to get one's brains and patience in a complete and screamingly crazy loop.... I'd have likely dismantled the whole door before noticing the tiny sticker...and as for losing screws inside the door...well thats a job just defined for me.. So this info-vlog is a huge bonus..so thank you! Hugely! En Passant : I read a previous commenter suggesting that you could employ the services of a person...who is possibly a sister and or another navigator of the "female" persuasion to wash "your" van... Now that's a vlog I'd really enjoy watching...but only after the watershed...I hate blood-shed before my supper.... Clearly it's a "blue job"... ( flame war anticipated )

[@mischef18]

Before long you will know how to do a bumper to bumper total rebuild bro, great effort on sorting out that wee problem. Black is always a hard colour to keep looking clean. In the end a great video. All the best

[@michaelpilling9659]

Another job well done!

[@bpwhite01]

worth mentioning, i had a similar issue but not completely disconnected! My door was getting harder and harder to open the side door from outside and In - Took it all apart, panel, insulation mechanism. Noting wrong! - long story short! WD40 on the latch itself (rear end of the door) solved it completely. Opens and sounds like new.

[@kerimhedhili5243]

Brilliant video. I use my van for work and saved me a trip to the garage.

[@simonking559]

Good work bruce .very satisfying😀

[@askotervo3280]

Thank you very very much!!! That was so easy but without this vid, so tricky. Taxi from Finland!😊

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

Good Lord! That's one of those fiddly little things that a dealer would charge an exorbitant amount for! Thanks for showing us that!

[@richardfoote4518]

I have to say you are quite handy with projects. Good job

[@richardwallinger1683]

great memories from Rossilli hang gliding days 50 years ago . A horsey girl fell off and the coast guard helicopter landed and flew her to get mended .Quite exciting really there were coloured flares and loud bangs to warn the hanglider and Paragliding fraternity to keep clear . all of those nice concrete steps were not there in them days .

[@michaelmoney9445]

That was interesting. I never knew how those handles worked..good researching too!!

[@kb43ver]

In my summer holiday 2013 a cow crashed a hole in my rear light. I was afraid of water coming into the van and I repaired it with some clear Sellotape and I wanted to replace it after coming home... Still today the Sellotape is on the rear light, like your Gaffer Tape will be in years 😉. Great job.

[@Vandemonium]

Hahaha I love it!

[@starwater9828]

For me that would be one of life's little victories - to be stored up and remembered fondly in my dotage! 🧙‍♂️

[@grahamnettleton6175]

Well done David that was so cleaver. You denigrade yourself for not doing things correctly but really there is no need I would have taken that problem yo the dealer so wow wow wow!!!!!!

[@jonryan7304]

Thanks so much for video , Unfortunately my Dispatch was slightly more complicated, had a new lock & cables bought , and had to drill the pot rivets , but a simple cable-tie around the the outer lock (to hold the cable for outer lock in place) was all that was needed

[@Vandemonium]

I'm curious, is your Dispatch the newer model (with a different shape)? Perhaps I should add the model year to the description.

[@petergoodman8378]

Real edge of the seat stuff. Will he won’t he, will the screw drop down inside the door? For someone who’s not an engineer I admire your spirit, sir. I would have taken it to a garage and paid through the snoot.

[@pascalprougeansky1152]

Thank you from France !

[@Vandemonium]

You are welcome!

[@arhodes2866]

Thank for showing this. Well done.

[@Vandemonium]

My pleasure!

[@GerryHat-trick]

Just like the shower unit refurb on the boat. A triumph for us tryers and doers 🙌

[@lfsheldon]

Well done. Worrying about it, once again. turns out to be harder than fixing it is. Kudos on the research, matching up the bits that fit and discarding the noise. Be interesting to see if I draw any attention to this channel. Caution, I have stories of raising three girls to-adult-hood on-the-road to Alaska, British Columbia, the Nortwest Territiories, Death Valley, and most of these United States.

[@Vandemonium]

Cheers. Not sure what you mean by "drawing attention" - are you not seeing any of the many replies I have made to your comments on Cruising the Cut?

[@lfsheldon]

@@Vandemonium I have seen one or two No "notifications" at all, save one on Pantheon, which got very actieve day or two ago,

[@Vandemonium]

Well that's peculiar but unfortunately I have no good suggestions for you other than ensuring the notifications setting is enabled on whatever device you use for KZbin etc. I turn them all off myself...

[@c3pbo]

I don’t even need to do this and I watched the entire thing! Very good

[@Vandemonium]

Haha thank you

[@heidiglenister9900]

This was so very helpful and saved me a fortune - thank you so much.

[@Vandemonium]

Excellent! I was hoping when I filmed this that someone would find it useful.

[@DarrenPoulson]

Thanks for the video, between you and the Haynes manual I think I now have enough info to at least tackle my door handle. Slightly different issue, my handle isn't flapping about and simply won't activate the mechanism.

[@Vandemonium]

Hopefully it will help and nothing too complicated!