Quote Originally Posted by tom4bren View Post
It looks like it is actually a piece of tubing that has been flared at each end.
It's actually a pin, and a VERY hard and durable pin at that. Merlin confirmed it's a pin and that a Pin/Spring Kit was once available from a 3rd party but they are no longer in business and he has no idea where to search. It's just like a pin that you would have in the door hinges in your home but much smaller. It's surprisingly sturdy. I'm guessing because of all the pressure it has to endure from the force of the spring.

2 different guys at body shops today made a comment that they've not seen metal pins in door handles before. They said all the door handles they see are pretty much plastic. They kept asking "uh... what did you say they came out of" lol

I'm still clueless as to what to do... but I won't quit. I HAVE to do this project. It's the only thing holding me up right now