AndrewGS
Ultimo Hombre
This afternoon I was quoted up to $300 for a dealer to install my chrome door handles. I did it in 30 minutes with no instructions. Here's how.
First, pop the covers off of the 7mm screws located behind the inner door handle and behind the door pull. Remove the 7mm screws.
Remove the sail panel trim by pulling outward on the upper side then upward to release the bottom side.
Now you can remove the door panel by grabbing it along the front edge of the door and pulling hard. Once you get the first few clips released you can work your way around the bottom and rear of the door. Once all clips are released you can pull up on the door panel to release it from the window edge. You will now have to disconnect the window and mirror controls as well as the inside door handle cable. Sorry for the lack of further photos, but I was going it alone.
Now you need to peel back the plastic weather sealer enough to get to the door handles.
This is what the inside of the door handle assembly looks like.
Now you will need to pop out the little round cover near the door handle on the door jamb. It will reveal the T20 screw that allows the removal of the door handle and lock cylinder (driver's side only).
Now you will turn that T20 screw counter clock-wise to release the lock cylinder/handle trim. You just loosen it and pull out the lock cylinder/trim piece. This will lock the door handle itself into place and you can't pull on it. We'll come back to that.
Take a small flat screw driver to release the lock cylinder from the trim piece and replace the lock cylinder in the chrome trim piece. Set it aside.
Now turn the T20 screw clock-wise so that you can pull the door handle again.
While pulling on the door handle you will have to pull down on the aluminum piece inside the door handle assembly and work at getting the handle loose and off the car.
Now you can reassemble by installing the new handle the way the old one came out then turning the T20 screw counter clock-wise again to install the lock cylinder/trim piece the same way it came out. Now tighten the T20 screw onto the lock cylinder/trim piece and replace the cover. Reapply the plastic weather seal, reinstall the door panel in reverse to the way it came off and you're done. It works the same way for both doors.
I hope this tutorial was helpful and not confusing in any way. Feel free to ask questions.
First, pop the covers off of the 7mm screws located behind the inner door handle and behind the door pull. Remove the 7mm screws.
Remove the sail panel trim by pulling outward on the upper side then upward to release the bottom side.
Now you can remove the door panel by grabbing it along the front edge of the door and pulling hard. Once you get the first few clips released you can work your way around the bottom and rear of the door. Once all clips are released you can pull up on the door panel to release it from the window edge. You will now have to disconnect the window and mirror controls as well as the inside door handle cable. Sorry for the lack of further photos, but I was going it alone.
Now you need to peel back the plastic weather sealer enough to get to the door handles.
This is what the inside of the door handle assembly looks like.
Now you will need to pop out the little round cover near the door handle on the door jamb. It will reveal the T20 screw that allows the removal of the door handle and lock cylinder (driver's side only).
Now you will turn that T20 screw counter clock-wise to release the lock cylinder/handle trim. You just loosen it and pull out the lock cylinder/trim piece. This will lock the door handle itself into place and you can't pull on it. We'll come back to that.
Take a small flat screw driver to release the lock cylinder from the trim piece and replace the lock cylinder in the chrome trim piece. Set it aside.
Now turn the T20 screw clock-wise so that you can pull the door handle again.
While pulling on the door handle you will have to pull down on the aluminum piece inside the door handle assembly and work at getting the handle loose and off the car.
Now you can reassemble by installing the new handle the way the old one came out then turning the T20 screw counter clock-wise again to install the lock cylinder/trim piece the same way it came out. Now tighten the T20 screw onto the lock cylinder/trim piece and replace the cover. Reapply the plastic weather seal, reinstall the door panel in reverse to the way it came off and you're done. It works the same way for both doors.
I hope this tutorial was helpful and not confusing in any way. Feel free to ask questions.
