Door Handle — Removal, Installation, and Adjustment

Introduction

The exterior door handle can be removed and installed without removing the door panel, window, or latch mechanism, provided the vehicle does not have electric door locks. On vehicles with electric door locks the door panel must be removed to disconnect the wiring at the door handle. The procedure below covers external removal (no panel removal needed) for non-electric-lock cars.

A door latch that is difficult to operate may result from a misadjusted linkage between the door handle and latch mechanism, or from a mispositioned striker plate. Both are covered in this procedure.

1.0 — Door Handle Removal

Tools

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Long thin-blade flat tip screwdriver
• Flashlight

Procedure

1. Remove the Phillips head screw just above the door latch mechanism.

2. From the outside, slide the door handle toward the front of the car to disengage it from the door, then pull outward.

3. On the back of the door handle there is a white plastic piece attached to a button on the lock mechanism. Using a flat tip screwdriver, gently pry the white plastic piece off the door handle.

4. Slide the long flat tip screwdriver down between the linkage rod and the door latch. Pry gently while rocking the door handle back and forth — the linkage socket will slide off the ball on the latch mechanism. The door handle is now fully removed.

   With the handle removed, the socket (red arrow) that attaches to the latch ball and the button (blue arrow) to which the white plastic piece attaches are clearly visible.

2.0 — Door Handle Adjustment

A door latch that operates with the interior handle but not the exterior handle indicates that the exterior linkage is too short. The linkage must be lengthened.

To lengthen the linkage: with the door handle removed, turn the plastic socket at the end of the linkage rod counter-clockwise. This increases the overall linkage length.

3.0 — Striker Plate Adjustment

Tools

• 5 mm Allen head socket or Allen head key

When the door is closed, the latch mechanism should engage centered on the striker bar. Verify this using a flashlight with the door nearly closed (latch just touching the striker bar but not fully engaged).

To adjust: loosen all three Allen head bolts, move the striker to the desired position, and tighten. Very small movements make a large difference in door operation. Multiple adjustment-and-test cycles may be required.

4.0 — Door Handle Installation

Tools

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Long thin-blade flat tip screwdriver
• Flashlight

Procedure

1. If the white plastic piece fell downward during removal (pointing toward the bottom of the door), it must be repositioned upward (visible in the door handle opening) before installation.

2. Confirm the rear door handle gasket is installed on the handle before attempting installation.

3. Insert the door handle linkage into the door handle opening. It will likely be necessary to angle the handle to get the linkage rod to fit through the door opening.

4. Align the linkage socket with the latch ball. Place the tip of a flat tip screwdriver against the back of the socket and apply pressure while rocking the handle back and forth until the socket seats on the ball. A thicker-blade screwdriver may be needed if the thin blade flexes too much.

5. With the handle partially inserted, press the white plastic piece onto the lock button. This may be possible with a finger or may require a flat tip screwdriver.

6. Install the small door handle gasket on the front of the handle. Insert the front of the handle into the opening, then press the back of the handle into its rear opening.

7. Slide the door handle toward the rear of the car until it stops.

8. Install the Phillips head screw above the latch mechanism.