Fishstickz
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2017
- Posts
- 636
- Reaction score
- 357
- Location
- Oklahoma
- Ram Year
- '06, '16
- Engine
- 3.7, 5.7 Hemi
After years of prolonged use, a few days back my passenger side grab handle gave out. I decided to take a couple of pictures and write a how-to on how to fix it in case anyone else is looking for some answers
First off, these things usually break in 2 ways- the first being the entire crevice which houses the screws splits. This can usually be solved by using some hardware from Geno’s Garage https://www.genosgarage.com/product/imco-rpr-kit/interior-replacement-parts#reviews
The second way they break is the top plastic “cap” piece that holds the screw breaks off entirely. It will leave a big gaping hole where the screw is supposed to pass through, which doesn’t leave a lot of methods to fix. Luckily I found a video that showcased a pretty good method to secure the grab handle which is the method i used.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Brass adapter. A 1/2” diameter outside thread on one end, and a barb-style fitting on the other end
- Small hose clamp
If you don’t have access to a table grinder or something to grind down the washer on the OEM bolts, you’ll need new hardware:
- 1 M6-1.0 24mm bolt
- 1 M6 washer
1. First thing you’ll do is clean out your newly formed hole. You aren’t gonna use the old plastic screw hole anymore, so be sure and take that off entirely. Here’s what mine looks like. Its scary thinking that this is the only thing supporting you when you’re getting in and out of your truck
2. Now you’re gonna wrap that hose clamp around the remaining plastic that used to hold that cap. Hand tighten it, you’ll fully tighten it down later
3. Take you’re brass fitting and cut off the barbed half. This will just leave the threads and a hole large enough for your bolt
4. Now take the fitting and screw it into the plastic. You want the hose clamp to be tight enough that the threads on your fitting are biting into the plastic. Screw it in until the fitting sits flush with the plastic
5. Tighten down the clamp with a small wrench. Remember its plastic so don’t go overboard
At this point everything should look similar this
At this point, you’re done with the grab handle. Now you’ll have to work on the hardware. If your bolt and washer fits, great! You’re done. However chances are the washer won’t fit into the fitting all the way. If so, you have 2 options: either grind down the OEM washer, or use new hardware with a small washer. I chose to stick with the OEM stuff, so i took the washer to a table grinder until I got it down to an appropriate size.
Bolt it in and it should look pretty dang spiffy
It feels much more secure now than the drivers side, which is just the OEM plastic. I’m going to buy the hardware from Geno’s for the other 3 bolts to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. Overall very satisfied, this 5-dollar fix beats buying a new panel that would likely fail again without additional reinforcement
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First off, these things usually break in 2 ways- the first being the entire crevice which houses the screws splits. This can usually be solved by using some hardware from Geno’s Garage https://www.genosgarage.com/product/imco-rpr-kit/interior-replacement-parts#reviews
The second way they break is the top plastic “cap” piece that holds the screw breaks off entirely. It will leave a big gaping hole where the screw is supposed to pass through, which doesn’t leave a lot of methods to fix. Luckily I found a video that showcased a pretty good method to secure the grab handle which is the method i used.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Brass adapter. A 1/2” diameter outside thread on one end, and a barb-style fitting on the other end
- Small hose clamp
If you don’t have access to a table grinder or something to grind down the washer on the OEM bolts, you’ll need new hardware:
- 1 M6-1.0 24mm bolt
- 1 M6 washer
1. First thing you’ll do is clean out your newly formed hole. You aren’t gonna use the old plastic screw hole anymore, so be sure and take that off entirely. Here’s what mine looks like. Its scary thinking that this is the only thing supporting you when you’re getting in and out of your truck
2. Now you’re gonna wrap that hose clamp around the remaining plastic that used to hold that cap. Hand tighten it, you’ll fully tighten it down later
3. Take you’re brass fitting and cut off the barbed half. This will just leave the threads and a hole large enough for your bolt
4. Now take the fitting and screw it into the plastic. You want the hose clamp to be tight enough that the threads on your fitting are biting into the plastic. Screw it in until the fitting sits flush with the plastic
5. Tighten down the clamp with a small wrench. Remember its plastic so don’t go overboard
At this point everything should look similar this
At this point, you’re done with the grab handle. Now you’ll have to work on the hardware. If your bolt and washer fits, great! You’re done. However chances are the washer won’t fit into the fitting all the way. If so, you have 2 options: either grind down the OEM washer, or use new hardware with a small washer. I chose to stick with the OEM stuff, so i took the washer to a table grinder until I got it down to an appropriate size.
Bolt it in and it should look pretty dang spiffy
It feels much more secure now than the drivers side, which is just the OEM plastic. I’m going to buy the hardware from Geno’s for the other 3 bolts to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. Overall very satisfied, this 5-dollar fix beats buying a new panel that would likely fail again without additional reinforcement
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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