Th assist handle on the a pillar ripped off in my hand. Plastic inside is busted in a su ch a manner that repair is not possible.

 

Imco Products makes a bushing kit to address this. I purchased a new A-pillar and bushings for both sides for $95ish. If you order the A-pillar with bushings it comes with bushings for both sides.

Google Imco Products, then click on "products" at the home page.

The local carwash and wife broke my driver side 5-6 times between are old 2002 and our 2006. I never noticed in time to file a complaint because I use the steering wheel to get in. My daughter broke the passenger side one the day after I installed a new driver side. I grew tired of spending $65 over and over and over. So I got the bushing kit, you can tell it's make a huge difference, there is barely any flex to it now.

~Adam

 

heh yeah, they are a terrible design. Good job Dodge! You can find themon ebay for about $60. They're more at the dealer. Also think about the bushing thingies. That's abut $70.



DH popped out the pside one day we were leaving from a bbq restaurant. I had told him over and over and over again, "Don't pull yourself up with the handle. Use the nerf bar to step up!" Anyway, what almost made it all worth it was he about fell backwards on his rear end. I didn't replace it right away though. I left it off for over a year. This got DH use to getting in the truck without grabbing the handle. The day I finally replaced it I bought it from the dealer - $90. DH got in the truck and asked, "How much did that set me back". I told him, "A hundred bucks. So if you like throwing money out the window keep breaking it. Otherwise, use the nerf bar".

 

I just bought a new grab handle for my '05 for $28 from the dealer. I guess they're more for you guys w/ newer trucks. :dunno:

 

i drilled a copper pipe end cap and used a hose clamp for $2.00 about 4 years ago

 

Buy the kit from Genos. It's cheaper!

http://www.genosgarage.com/GRAB-HAND.../IMCO_RPR_KIT/



I ordered it and installed it this morning. The handles are good and strong now.

Couple observations -

- the washer on the bolt will not fit the smaller cup. You have to pull that washer off if you can (I couldn't). So I used different bolts.

- the newer of my two handles had a narrower tunnel on the inside. I couldn't get the small cup to seat no matter how hard I pushed. I had to dremel out the walls a little bit with a small sanding drum. Once I did that everything went together quick.


This repair should take a few minutes but be prepared you might run into these hiccups.