Chris, as I recall with mine it was the same procedure. Door handle screw and remove handle; then pop the C-shaped piece of trim and get the two screws underneath. From there pop off the door panel. From there there should be 2 or 3 10mm bolts holding on the door handle. Just unscrew those. You may need either a really tiny ratchet or a long deep socket/extension because they are kind of hard to get to.

I didn't try this, but it may make it easier if you just destroy the old handle. Literally take a hammer and break it into tiny pieces, which will probably make it easier to see what you're doing.

There is also going to be a plastic clip which connects it to the door latch which you're going to have to remove with a flathead screwdriver.

 

Matt Farrell, you actually did this right? Can you provide a pic or a link to the tool you actually used for the hardest-to-get-to 10mm bolt? You mentioned a tiny ratchet.

I might just take a hammer to the old handle like you suggested and take the bolt out that way, but when I install the new one I'll need access to the bolt.

 

Matt that sounds like the interior handle you replaced. Bryancl is looking for the outside handle. Odds are it's similar to the front but I have never done it so I can't say for sure. I do ask @bryancl if you go for it please post a diy for others.

Sorry

 

The interior one is actually even simpler. You just unscrew the phillips head screw, unclip the handle, remove and replace. But yeah for the exterior handle the only things holding it on should be 2-3 10mm bolts and the little metal piece with a clip that connects it to the latch mechanism.

 

Going to talk to my mechanic Brother-in-Law tomorrow. His description sounds about right, but there is so much in the way it seems like more has to come off to get to it. The second bolt is WAY back there, and not exactly sure how to get the plastic clip off. Afraid of breaking it, although if I did the new one has it.... If I figure it out I will post pictures...or I will be taking it somewhere to get it done.

Thanks

 

Hey yall,

Just wondering if replacing the exterior door handle is the same procedure as the front driver and passenger door handles. I'm open to ideas but doesn't the door handle usually involve:

1. Removing interior door handle philips head screw
2. Removing panels and clips
3. Removing metal rod and locking mechanism
4. Removing two 10 mm bolts holding in mechanism
5. Removing exterior door handle and replacing it with new.

Check this link out for a resource:

Anyone try to finagle a metal piece to the door handle for a temporary fix?

 

The lock bar will clip to the exterior handle. On the lock actuator, you will need to slide the bar into the plastic clip.

Oh, you will need a star bit to remove the bolts to the lock actuator.

 

I got this done. I was supposed to get pics but forgot, so sorry. The difference with the rear is you have to remove the locking mechanism to get to the other bolt. Once you move that back out of the way a deep socket reaches it through a hole. That was the only thing you had to do. I think it’s two bolts.

The problem I had was that the bolts were so corroded holding the handle on that when I went to turn the front one, it just bent the metal tab attached to the sheet metal. There was no removing it. I broke it off and was only able to use one bolt to put in the new one. Once I bent the metal back a bit it set pretty flush, but I used a little clear silicone to be sure it was water tight. Didn’t go perfectly, but it worked.

 

Here is what I removed to gain access to the bolt, I circled what I moved in red, hope it helps...