This is a cheap, strong and easy way to fix grab handle pillar on 3rd gen Dodge Ram truck. I even fixed the driver side before it ever breaks. Estimates time is 20 minutes per side of the truck depending on yours skills. There is another video on YouTube showing a fix with glue but is a matter of time that the handle will brake again. Hope this help anyone going through the same problem I had and be able to fix it in a clean, fast and reliable way.
NOW, there are some guys out there saying that the washer that comes with the bolt does not fit inside the brass fitting. In my particular model truck ( 03 3500 RAM diesel quad cab) the washer is smaller and fits perfect (just pause the video and will see it) Bottom line is that the repair is strong and works.. just fine tune if needed like grinding the washer or something….just wanna help anyone that need a repair ASAP…
Greetings….
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Works great!
This was a great suggestion. Thank you very much for the advice. A couple of things though. The repair is not quite so simple. Before cutting any of the plastic, on the bottom side of the handle unit, measure from the flat ring portion of the plastic of the base of the plastic well to the top where the plastic well is supposed to be. Note that they are different heights. After you have screwed in the brass fittings that you have cut you will need to again measure the same heights so they match your previous measurements. Getting these measurements right will assure that the grab handle unit will fit correctly into position. Instead of re-using the bolts that exist. I replaced them with Hex Socket Button Head Cap Screws (mine were #5) and #12 washers. This allowed me to use an Allen Wrench to reinstall. Not only does it mean no grinding of the washer or head of the Bolt, but it's just as easy to hold the bolt when you're working overhead,
Thanks for the video! Remember to grind the washer all the way down or remove in order for it to fit.
after all the videos I've watched! this seems way easier to fix! thank you bro! Can't wait to fix mines tomorrow!
this is a damn good fix. now my fat ass wife can get in and out of my truck with out me sweatin a porkchop over her breaking my damn handles. real easy!
I just dit this.. omg. dude. thanks. I'm not handy at all but doing this make me feel like a hacker. thanks for sharing this. now. to try fixing the horn. 🙁
Just broke mine last night. Thanks for this great tip!!!!
That is such a great idea, I was just watching another video and the price is over 40 bucks. I did not want to get a new one only for it to break again. Thank you so much for sharing this. How did it line up on the A post? was there any gap due to spacing issues?Peace, Reese
Just did this, thanks to your vid! I used the brass that didn't need sawing off and removed the "points" so it slid in further. No fear! Thx!
good to know that this simple fix is still helping people out there….
Hey man i just finished repairing my dodge with your fix. for anyone else just get a file to file the washers, number 10mm socket with screwdriver attachment and a iron saw "small".
Thanks again.
Tim.
great fix thanks man.
Anyway does anyone know if they make any steel part for that one so heavy dudes can use it without fear ???? 😛
I always say if ya cant fix it Ram it
Juan, I don't know if you've looked at this post lately, but YOU ROCK!! This fix worked perfectly!!! I am in your debt for this quick, easy and inexpensive fix!!
Do you have the part number for the fitting? I am having trouble finding it at home depot. I may need to go elsewhere and the part number would help greatly!!
Holy Crap! That's brilliant.
This is exactly what I was hoping for. I was going to place a washer around the hose clamp and tack weld it in place. I like this idea better. as the threads hold it in deeper and the clamp. only one broke and the other I'd perfect. I'm going to cut the perfect one off and do it also. thank you for this great ieea. I lost one of the bolts though. I know it's 11mm. but what size thread and how long is it? I am disabled and I wanted to order it before I tear my truck apart without having all I need to fix it. thank you in advance.
thank you so much for a great post , it worked great, its stronger than original
Just did this on my truck it worked great thanks
I'm really glad to hear that this fix is working out for you Dodge guys…
worked like a charm thank you.
if you want to go a step further get some plastic weld and put it around the threads 😀 thanks for this video saved me some time and money!
awesome!!!!
Just did this repair. Thanks for sharing. Handle is now stronger than ever.
Thanks so Much!!! Can't believe I did not think of this, sure am glad you did.
Gus, I had a 2003 dodge ran 3500 and you are right on the washer issue and the socket size.
Since the reinforce is made of brass I opted to rekove the washer and on the socket size, yes I used a thing long style one and the thinner portion of it fitted inside the brass.
Thanks for your great comments and I hope this will help many others……
Ok I just finished mine I ran into a couple of issues I have a 2004 , so if you have the same year you most likely run into the same
1- the fixed sleeve/washer in the screw is about 16.6 mm in diameter and the inside diameter of the nipple is about 15mm so the washer will not fit from the other side you have to file it down to size, the way I did this is put the screw inside the drill (as abit) and spin it with the drill while pressing on it with a file and kept checking till it fits.
2- the other issue is the screw is 10mm socket , well unless you have a very thin socket it will not fit insde that brass nipple again mine was larger then 15mm and I wasn;t about to make a new tool, instead I just cut the bolt of the screw with the dremmel and made it work with a flat screw driver. good luck to all.
I knew I would find some genius with a quick cheap fix for this on youtube, I love youtube thanks for posting
Thanks for posting. Going to try this.
Thanks for posting the vid! Went to home depot bought the parts and it worked like a charm!! A++