Removal and refitting the exterior door handles
If it is the handle assembly you are replacing wholesale with Abby jobbies, then the job is easier.
The drivers door handle is trickier than the passenger's side because of the door lock barrel- so attack this side first- it can only get better!
Tools you'll need:
Phillips screw driver, a socket set with a nice long extention and alot of patience!
Time required:
Variable, but budget a couple of hours for the driver's side (first attempt and is tricky) and less than half an hour for the passenger side.
1. Remove the interior door trim. 2. Raise the door window to the full extent. 3. Undo the two hex- headed bolts retaining the door handle to the door- they are found inside the outer door skin. Fortunately there are access holes on the inner membrane to access them, although for the furthest forward bolt, you may need to assemble the socket to the extention inside the door... 4. Remove the door lock barrel. It is held in place with a circlip from above: push it upwards and to one side to remove. DON'T LOSE IT! 5. The handle assembly is now held in with the handle's clips- push the assembly out. It only requires gentle force. 6. Un-hook the handle actuator arm/lever from the actuator rod: the handle assembly is now free.
If you need to put the chrome handle into your existing handle's surround, then the assembly will need further 'undressing'. Easily done- unscrew the retaining phillips screw holding the handle-lever, and watch out for a flying spring! The handle is held by two pivot pins that need to be drifted out to remove the handle. I had a problem with mine because the lubricating greece had all dried up, and they both had become seized. Persevere- they do come out eventually. Watch out for the handle return spring.
Then, in true Haynes- manual style, reassembly is a reversal of disassembly! ;o)
The tricky part is getting the door lock retaining circlip back in place. I lost one... D'OH! But fortunately had a spare from the handle I bought from B&G. Took alot of swearing and cursing to get back on, but finally managed it 45 long frustrating minutes later.
The passenger side is a sinch in comparison! |