Exterior Door Handle...Another Bites Dust - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

coke&taco · 09-22-2008, 03:09 PM

On my 2000 LE, the outside driver door handle snapped off like a dry twig. I have a replacement that I bought off eBay and I have removed the door panel. I cannot figure out how to get at the 3 screws on the back of the handle, especially the two near each other on the left side (looking at the back of it). Any help?

cykaaro · 09-22-2008, 07:29 PM

Not sure if this will help or not as I only have my gen3 to refer to, but on mine, there's three bolts on it. One holds the cylinder lock in place, and then one beside it and one on the right that actually hold the handle in place.

To get them off you need to use a socket/ratchet with an extender on it. On a lot of vehicles you will find that if it cannot seem to fit in to reach, there will alternatively be a small hole in which to put it through to reach it straight through. Sometimes it' covered by a plug. I'd have to see pics of what you're seeing to know exactly how it's put in though. Once the bolts are out, just carefully work it out without putting too much force on it to break anything. Mine were a bit of a challenge to figure out exactly how they slid out but eventually got them out.

Hope this helps you some. Good luck!

***prnc_chrmng*** · 09-22-2008, 08:17 PM

i just did one this weekend.

i used both a crecent wrench 10mm. to get the lower left one.

a short wratchet to get the lower right. and extention to get the upper left

then i think the trick is to hold the door open with the inside drivers handle to take the latch off (it was a serious pain in the ass)

coke&taco · 09-23-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cykaaro

To get them off you need to use a socket/ratchet with an extender on it. On a lot of vehicles you will find that if it cannot seem to fit in to reach, there will alternatively be a small hole in which to put it through to reach it straight through.

Looks like this is the situation. Haven't tried it yet. Thanks.

proftomda · 09-23-2008, 08:57 PM

Three 10mm bolts hold the handle on as mentioned. The front and rear bolts are mounting bolts that hold the handle to the door. The middle bolt holds the lock cylinder to the handle. Start by removing the open rod from the handle by removing the saftey retainer clip that surrounds the rod. Use a long screwdriver to pop the clip loose, then remove the rod from the handle. Next, use a 1/4 inch drive, 10mm socket and extensions and remove the forward mounting bolt. This one is easy to get to although you might need a wobble extension or a universal.

Now for the rear mount bolt. I removed the three large phillips head screws that hold the latch assembly to the inside of the door. The screws are held in with thread locker compound, so use the correct screwdriver so you dont strip the threads. Removing these screws allows the latch assembly and rods to lower inside the door, which allows easier access to the rear mount bolt. Next, remove the rotory child door safety switch by prying lightly with a screwdriver. Insert the socket and extensions thru the safety switch hole and remove the rear mount bolt.

You are now able to manipulate the handle away from the door. From the outside, lift up on the handle while gently pulling the handle away enough to see the back side. Use a 10mm open end or combo wrench to remove the third bolt that holds the lock cylinder to the handle. The handle is now free. I reccomend using painters blue or masking tape around the handle opening on the door to protect the paint while you wiggle and manipulate the handle in and out.

coke&taco · 09-24-2008, 07:23 AM

proftomda....very good stuff, thanks for the insight.

Will tackle it this weekend.

Kep · 09-24-2008, 07:35 AM

proftomda - very nice DIY on exterior door handle replacement!

Kep

coke&taco · 11-08-2008, 03:06 PM

Looks like I can do everything except 1 step...remove the rod (that opens the latch) attached to the exterior door handle. I have flipped up the yellow clip, but the end of the rod is bulbous and this appears to prevent it from sliding back out (to the right) of the clip/handle assembly hole. Of course, this may not be the reason I can't remove it.

I have pulled on the rod every which way but I can't figure it out. Also, after removing the attachment bolts, I tried to pull the handle assembly out enough to get at the rod from the outside of the vehicle, but it won't come out all the way...because the rod appears to be holding it in.

I am so close to finishing this DIY.

Any advice is much appreciated.

***prnc_chrmng*** · 11-08-2008, 06:27 PM

probly need someone else to help you out for this one.

get someone else to hold the inside door handle open/out thisll move the thingy down and then it should be eaier to pull the rod off.

you also have to pinch the little plastic clip to get it off

proftomda · 11-08-2008, 09:28 PM

So you have removed the clip but the rod wont pull out correct? Try using a long bladed screwdriver and pry the entire plastic retainer out of the hole that the retainer and red end fit into. Did you remove the three large phillips head screws? You are very close, dont give up.

Kep · 11-08-2008, 11:42 PM

If you have a small enough camera, reach in and snap a few shots of the connection. Maybe you will be able to get an angle that lets you see what is getting hung up. Might work...

Kep

Zviator · 11-09-2008, 02:23 AM

Post alot of pictures for the DIY please, that definitely would help as i'm a visual learner ^^

Mazeraski · 11-09-2008, 10:44 AM

This was the PITA step for me as well, I just went through this process about a week ago.

First, make sure the bottom of the yellow clip is detached from the rod and flipped up (looks like you have). Then, try pushing the end of the rod back through the yellow clip since the rod is sort of clipped into the yellow piece. If you push/pull hard enough it should just pop out eventually, leaving the yellow piece in the hole on the door handle so that you can take the door handle out with the yellow piece still attached to it. If I find some batteries for my camera, I'll go and take pictures for you. Good luck!

coke&taco · 11-09-2008, 04:47 PM

UPDATE....

I finally got the rod out and the new handle in place. However, now I have a bigger problem. When trying to push the rod into the yellow clip of the new handle (it was very difficult, just like trying to get it out), the entire rod came detached from the latch mechanism. The rod is now lying on the garage floor.

I have no idea how the bottom of the rod was attached because it is within the door where I cannot see at all.

May have to seek professional help on this one.

EDIT: I just figured out how to get the bottom end of the rod back on. I just held it in place and then felt around where it should go. The flat, rectangular shaped hole just slides over something in there that goes up and down to open the door. Now back to pushing on that rod, trying to get it into the new door handle.

I could not get any pics of the inside of the door to come out clear but here is the backside of the new handle for the record.

cykaaro · 11-09-2008, 05:15 PM

Usually it will be attached the same way at the latch end. Does it have the little 90* bend at both ends? You just need to know which end is which. There should be another one of the plastic locking clips at the other end.
It should ony be able to go in and clip on one way. Try go visualize what you feel and see if you can feel where it's suppsed to go.

Also, possibly loosening the screws the latch mechanism to allow it to move a bit may help. Just be patient and take you time.