How to replace a car interior door handle
Interior handles on car doors fail when the handles become loose or when the doors are either hard to open or won't open at all.
You have been lowering the window for some time and opening the door with the outside handle. This interior door handle didn't work and you were afraid to replace it. In older cars, much of what you see and touch was made from heavy metal and steel. In later model cars, much of what you see is made from lighter metals and plastics.
A frequently used part like a door handle can last a lifetime in your old car, but due to the lighter metals and plastics in modern cars, you may need to replace your door handles at least once in your car's lifetime.
Part 1 of 1: Replacing the inside door handle
Necessary materials
- Interior Trim Removal Tools
- Pliers - regular/pointed
- ratchet
- Screwdrivers - Flat/Phillips/Torx
- Ceiling rosette
Step 1: Loosen the door panel screws.. Locate all the screws before you start pulling on the door panel.
Some screws are on the outside, but others may have a small decorative cover. Some of them can be hidden behind the handrail, as well as along the outer edge of the door panel.
Step 2: Separate the door panel from the fasteners/clips.. Using the appropriate trim panel removal tool, feel for the outer edge of the door panel.
As a general rule, you'll need to feel for the front edge, down the bottom edge, and around the back of the doorway. There may be several clips holding the panel in place. Insert a trim remover between the door and interior panel and carefully pry the door panel out of the clips.
- Attention: Be careful as these clips can break easily.
Step 3: Remove the door trim panel. Once released from the retaining clips, gently press down on the door panel.
The top edge of the door panel will slide out along the window. At this point, reach behind the door panel to disconnect all electrical connectors for the power window/door lock/trunk/fuel hatch buttons. To completely remove the door panel from its position, you will have to tilt the door panel and/or door handle assembly to pull it back through the hole in the door panel to completely remove it.
Step 4: Remove the plastic vapor barrier if necessary.. Take care to remove the vapor barrier intact and not cut it.
In some vehicles, the inner door must remain tightly closed because the side airbag sensors may rely on pressure changes within the door to deploy the side airbags. If it is already damaged or damaged during replacement, replace the vapor barrier as soon as possible.
Step 5: Remove the inner door handle mechanism.. Remove any nuts or bolts holding the door handle in place.
From the inside door handle to the door latch mechanism there will be a rod, usually held together with plastic clips. Carefully detach them, remove the broken handle and replace it with a new one.
Step 6: Loosely install the inner door panel.. Before you fasten anything in place, check the operation of the inside and outside door handles.
Once you've verified both work, reconnect any electrical connectors you removed and snap the door panel back into its retaining clips. If any of them were broken during disassembly, visit your local auto parts store or dealership for a replacement.
Step 7: Replace all screws and trim pieces.. Once the door panel is secured to the retaining clips, install all screws and trims in place.
Hand tightening is fine, don't overtighten them.
A good door handle is essential to your comfort in your car and can be a major inconvenience if broken. If you are not comfortable doing this job, and if your car needs an inner door handle replacement, be sure to invite one of AvtoTachki's certified technicians to your home or work and perform the repair for you.
