Replace Your Car’s Door Handle With This Guide

1 Should I Repair Or Replace My Door Handle?

The car door handle can either be repaired or replaced depending upon the kind of fracture or fault. There may be a crack, it’s loose or broken into pieces, or has other visual damages. As most exterior and interior car handles are under so much use and stress, fixing them with the help of adhesives and weldings is not a wise solution. Installing a new or used component is usually a more economical long-term solution. 

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. We highly recommend consulting a certified mechanic or technician if you have any questions or concerns related to topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will PartsAvatar Canada be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.

2 How To Replace The Exterior Door Handle?

The exterior door handle faces more abuse as it’s exposed to dust, debris, moisture, salt, temperature, and the sun. Continuous use of the door handles induces stress and fatigue leading to failure. In freezing temperatures, it is not uncommon for the exterior door handle to become brittle and crack upon opening. If you are facing these issues follow these easy steps to replace the exterior door handle-

Tools Required:

• Screwdrivers
• Socket Sets
• Ratchet
• Plastic pry bars

If the exterior door handle bolts are accessible from the outside on the door skin then follow these steps:

• If the exterior handle is broken, it is highly likely that your car door is still closed. Open that door from inside by entering the car from another door. 

• If you’re lucky, there are attachment screws accessible from the outside, in which case, the interior door panel doesn’t need to be removed. 
• If the screws of the door handle are visible from outside then before unscrewing the bolts, put some painter’s tape on the door handle area to avoid damaging the paint. 
• Then undo the bolts using a ratchet and socket and check if any lever or rods are connected, as these will need to be unclipped. 
• In most vehicles, plastic clips are used which can be easily removed without even requiring any tools. 
• Finally slide the handle forward or backward to set it free from the door skin. 
• Now you can install the new door handle, reinstall any attachments and bolt it back in place. 

If the door handle bolts are not visible on the door skin, you will have to access the bolts from inside the door panel. This requires you to first remove the interior door panel. The procedure for that is as follows: 

• To remove the panel, you will need to remove all the screws that hold it in place. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic door trim pieces which can pop out using a plastic pry bar of a screwdriver. 
• Undo the bolts or screws using a ratchet and socket or screwdriver. 
• Now unhook the interior door handle from the locking mechanism inside it before removing the panel. 
• There may be two rods connecting the interior handle to the locking mechanism and the exterior handle. To remove these you need to unhook the plastic holsters, and then lift the rod out of its respective hole. Refer to a service manual for more information 

• Many cars still have a key-operated lock cylinder in the driver’s door. If the lock cylinder is still intact and working, you can switch the old lock cylinder to the new handle so that you can still use your old key. 
• Put your car key inside the old lock cylinder and carefully take off the lock cylinder. Make sure it does not break. 
• Then put it inside the new handle. 

• Insert the new handle by sliding it back on the door skin.
• Reattach the clips or rods in the same position as you removed them along with the interior door handle.
• If the door handle is working properly then install the door panel by fastening the bolts and attaching the clips from where you removed them. 

3 How To Replace The Interior Door Handle?

The interior door handle is prone to failure because they are generally made of weaker materials compared to exterior handles. Further, many vehicles have designs that lead to the handle being used as the method of closing the door. This pulling force can put a lot of stress on the handle and lead to premature failure. To replace the interior door handle you will first need to remove the interior door trim panel. 

• To remove the panel, you will need to remove all the screws that hold it in place. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic door trim pieces which can be popped off using a plastic pry bar of a screwdriver. 
• Undo the bolts or screws using a ratchet and socket or screwdriver. 
• Now unhook the interior door handle from the locking mechanism inside it before removing the panel. 

• There may be two rods connecting the interior handle to the locking mechanism and the exterior handle. To remove these you need to unhook the plastic holsters, and then lift the rod out of its respective hole
• Now you can remove the panel and carefully lay it aside
• Remove the bolts and clips that hold the interior door handle

• Get the replacement interior door handle and make sure they match
• Attach the new handle to the connecting rods in the correct configuration. Redo the bolts and then proceed to reinstall the panel. 
• Redo all the bolts and screws and reinstall all the door trim pieces. Test the door handle to make sure it works. 

Finally, you’ve managed to successfully install an operational door handle on your own, thereby saving yourself from a serious inconvenience. Furthermore, with this DIY approach, you not only learned how to do these repairs yourself but also managed to save a lot of money when it comes to hiring a professional mechanic to do the same job.

4 How to Open a Car Door with a Broken Handle From Outside?

If you have a broken car door handle and you’re stuck outside, there are a few ways to open the door. One way is to locate the lock rod, which is usually found on the top of the door, and push it up or down until you hear it click into place. Then, pull on the door handle until it opens. Another way is to place a folded cloth or a piece of rubber over the broken handle and firmly press or pull it. The added padding can help distribute force more evenly, potentially engaging the latch and allowing the door to open. If you have access to the interior of the car, you can remove the exterior door handle and find the rod that connects it to the latch. You can then apply force to the rod to open the door.

5 How Much to Replace Car Door Handle?

On average for most vehicles, it costs about $170 to replace an outside door handle, and about $80 to replace an inside door handle. The cost varies depending on which handle broke, the labor cost, and the replacement parts. For some specific costs to replace the outside door handle on some common vehicles, using $100 an hour as a labor rate:

• 2006 Dodge Dakota: $130 (1.3 hrs)
• 2003 Honda Accord: $100 (1 hr)
• 2010 Toyota RAV4: $100 (1 hr) 1

6 How to Remove Car Door Handles?

To remove a car door handle, you can follow these steps:

1. Locate the screws or bolts that hold the door handle in place. These are usually found on the inside of the door panel.
2. Remove the screws or bolts using a screwdriver or socket wrench.
3. Detach the door handle from the door panel. This may require some force, so be careful not to damage the door panel.
4. Disconnect the rod or cable that connects the door handle to the latch mechanism. This is usually done by removing a clip or pin that holds the rod or cable in place.
5. Remove the door handle from the car.

7 How to Reattach a Door Handle?

To reattach a car door handle, you can follow these steps:

1. Locate the screws or bolts that hold the door handle in place. These are usually found on the inside of the door panel.
2. Remove the screws or bolts using a screwdriver or socket wrench.
3. Detach the door handle from the door panel. This may require some force, so be careful not to damage the door panel.
4. Reconnect the rod or cable that connects the door handle to the latch mechanism. This is usually done by inserting a clip or pin that holds the rod or cable in place.
5. Attach the door handle to the door panel. This may require some force, so be careful not to damage the door panel.
6. Secure the screws or bolts using a screwdriver or socket wrench.