Monday, April 15, 2013

How to Replace a Toyota Corolla 98-02 Inside Door Handle


This is an article I wrote years ago. I have had several phone calls the past couple of weeks concerning these inside door handles.  They are relative easy to change. I have had numerous women change these. Leave a comment with phone number if you need help finding the handles and installing them.                         


 









 Tools Needed:
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • Philip Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Door Panel Remover Tool (if available)
  • Old Big Towel's
Materials Needed:
  • Replacement Car Door Handles
  • Screw either New or from Old Door Handle
  • You may need door panel clips

 How to replace the inside door handle on a Geo/Chevrolet Prizm and a Toyota Corolla 98-02?
The amount of time needed for this repair will vary accord to your skill level from 30 minutes to one hour. I suggest you have a small box or magnetic tray to put your parts and screws into when they are removed.

  1. First remove the screw from the inside door handle, save this screw. The old door handle can be removed at this point. Sometimes the door handle is still connected to the door opening mechanism and will not come free. If this is the case do not worry, you can remove it after the door panel has been removed.
  2. Remove the arm rest in the middle of the door panel. This piece snaps off. You should use a flat-head screwdriver underneath the panel apply pressure to loosen the clips. Pull upward with constant even pressure, the arm rest will snap off.
  3. After removing the arm rest you will find two more screws, remove and save these screws.
  4. Next step is to remove the door panel with caution the clips break easily.
  5. Use your door panel remover tool (if available) start at the bottom of the door panel. If you are using a flat head screwdriver pull up, at this point use put your fingers under the plastic, and pull out towards you with firm, even pressure. Be careful these  clips often break, they can be replaced.
  6. Go around the edges of the door unsnapping the door panel.
  7. When the panel is free, lift it up and over the locking mechanism. Be carefully do not let the door panel fall to the ground, it can get scratched. This is where the big old towel's come in handy. Let the panel rest on the towels. 
  8. Power windows and locks will have wires coming from the door into the panel. The wires limit how far you can move the panel from the door. These wires can be unsnapped and the panel can be laid down. I suggest placing it on towel's to prevent scratching.
  9. The wires do not have to be unsnapped to replace the handle.
  10. The metal rod with an L-shape at the end extends out towards the door handle. The tip of the metal rod is to be inserted into the receiving hole on the replacement door handle. There is a piece of plastic that acts as a buffer that may still be connected to the piece of metal. You may need to remove the old piece. Your new door handles will already have this piece of plastic in the hole. Use whichever one works the best.
  11. Attach the metal rod to the door handle with the door handle inserted into its proper place in the door panel. You may need to snap the metal rod into place inside the door handle.
  12. Place the door handle in the door panel and to the door itself. There are three arms extending from the back of the door handle. The two L-shaped ones are on the top and bottom. The other arm is a pole, or cylinder. You will need to line up the holes as you reattach the door panel.
  13. Lift the door panel up over the locking mechanism when reattaching the door panel then lower it into position.
  14. The door handle should slide into place into the door, and you'll then have to slide it to one side in order to align the screw hole with the screw hole in the door.            
  15. Once everything is lined up, apply firm pressure up against the panel to snap into place.
  16. When everything is snapped back into place, close the door and test the handle.
  17.  Screw back in the two screws you removed behind the arm rest and one screw in the replacement handle.
  18. Reattach the arm rest to its original location, it will snaps back into place. Congratulations you are finished.

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