How to Fix a Door Handle on a Car

Car door handles are an integral component of every vehicle and often become worn over time, leading to broken handles or making opening and closing your doors difficult.

Here’s when having a garage or mechanic replace the handle is beneficial; not only can this save money on repairs, but it will get you back into your daily routine faster too!

Remove the Door Panel

If your door handle has broken or is not functioning as intended, you may need to remove the door panel. While this process varies from vehicle to vehicle, removing one should generally be straightforward if you follow some simple instructions and have access to all necessary tools.

First, remove the door panel trim pieces that conceal fasteners on both panels. Begin with the driver’s door panel, carefully prying away its trim piece using a plastic prying tool. Next, unscrew and remove four T20 Torx screws from both passenger’s door panels as well as three T20 screws from inner door handle assembly.

Once all the trim pieces have been removed, carefully loosen and remove both sets of retaining clips on both sides of the door panel. Use caution as some clips may break during disassembly.

Make the process much simpler by purchasing a clip removal tool kit at a reasonable price and making use of its tools easier.

Once the clips have been unclipped, you can lift and pull the door panel away from its frame. However, be mindful of any wiring connected with window/door switches as well as cables connected to these parts that need to be disconnected carefully before starting this task.

Once all the parts have been taken apart, inspect them for damage and replace any that are broken. Assemble and install window and latch controls; this process should take no longer than 30 minutes. Afterward, test door handles to make sure they’re working as they should be.

Unscrew the Fasteners

If you want to replace the door handle on your car, first locate and loosen any fasteners holding it in place. This will enable you to determine whether you can remove it from outside or work from within your car’s cabin.

Unscrewing fasteners is important, since you may need to replace damaged ones with new ones if necessary. A screwdriver or wrench are effective tools for this task.

Screws and clips are among the most prevalent fasteners found on cars, while rivets have recently become increasingly common. You will typically find these fasteners on doors or other parts of the vehicle.

Some bolts and nuts may be difficult to loosen because they’re rusted, so it is essential that you assess their condition prior to making any attempts at loosening them. If they’re too corroded for regular socket wrenches to access, try using Vice Grips, locking pliers, adjustable pliers or pipe wrenches as alternate methods to grab their heads and loosen it.

If a nut or bolt is stubborn, try breaking it off using a nut cracker tool, chisel, or other specialty tools. If this does not work, soak the fastener in penetrating oil for 30 seconds while applying heat from a propane torch to loosen its threads.

Apart from your standard hex-head fasteners, it is wise to stock multiple SAE and metric size sockets or wrenches on hand as both SAE and metric sizes may differ, making a wide variety of fasteners easier to fasten securely.

If you don’t already own any of these tools, a fold-up pocket set of various-sized Allen wrenches from a hardware store may provide you with enough wrenches for every fastener on your vehicle. It will ensure you always have one on hand that fits.

Remove the Locking Cylinder

Lock cylinders of cars play a pivotal role in turning on their ignitions, so if one becomes worn or damaged it may no longer function correctly and cause issues when starting the car. Luckily this issue can easily be rectified with professional locksmith service.

Technicians will evaluate the condition of a lock cylinder to assess if it needs replacing or repair, while also looking at key functions and whether they have been turned smoothly.

If the lock cylinder of your vehicle is no longer working as intended, the next step should be to remove it. While each process may differ depending on make and model of car, several steps exist that can help in extracting the cylinder from its lock.

As soon as you enter a locked space, the first thing that must be accomplished is removing the retention pin of the lock cylinder. This pin can usually be found either side, top, or bottom of its housing.

Once the pin has been taken out, you should be able to remove the rest of the lock cylinder with some force. For an alternative approach, using a drill could also work; just be careful!

Hammer the cylinder to loosen it from its pin. This method is similar to drilling but much less labor-intensive.

No matter which approach you select, it’s crucial that you adhere to instructions carefully in order to complete this task safely and correctly. As required tools will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, please consult repair information specific for your make/model before commencing this task.

Remove the Handle

Door handles serve to secure and lock the doors on your car, protecting against wear and tear over time. Although these mechanisms are built for durability, they may eventually succumb to wear and tear and be rendered nonfunctional over time.

Repairing a broken or damaged handle may seem complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. With some knowledge of your car’s door handles and how they function, completing this project could take as little as one hour.

You will require a flathead screwdriver and ratchet and socket of appropriate size in order to unscrew and loosen the bolts securing your exterior door handle. As this may take some time, choose a day without other commitments or obligations that is appropriate.

Another effective tool for releasing C-clips that hold your door handle in place is a special pliers-type device, available online and in most automotive stores. One great aspect of these pliers-style tools is they can be used from either direction, so that the handle can be pulled out either from side or front of your home.

If you are installing a front handle, insert the tool with its lever facing away from the handle, press in to grab and pull out the clip, and release.

Removing a door handle may be tricky, so having someone help is often essential. A flashlight may also come in handy if you have trouble seeing all the clips. Once all clips have been taken off, the handle should be replaced as soon as possible.

Replace the Handle

Your car’s door handle is an essential component, controlling the latch mechanism that secures and locks its doors shut. Unfortunately, however, over time it may become worn-out or become damaged as children pull too hard on it to open or close it.

Replacing a broken handle isn’t difficult and could save money over time, but be mindful to select only high-quality replacements; cheap ones could present future issues and compromise safety and security.

If you plan to do your replacement yourself, make sure you read your vehicle’s owner’s manual thoroughly. This will enable you to remove and install parts correctly while also understanding how the job must be accomplished.

To remove an old door handle, find and unscrew any fasteners holding it in place – some might even be hidden beneath plastic clips that secure the door panel.

After unclipping and disconnecting the main control rod attached to the door handle with a screwdriver, remove all fasteners that hold it in place before unhooking it from its sockets.

Depending on the car you own, its handle might come loose on its own or be attached to an inner door panel; in such an instance, to replace it you’ll first need to take steps such as removing and installing all new door panels before proceeding with replacing it with its replacement handle.

Once you have your new door handle, simply reattach its fasteners and install it into the door. Be sure to test it first to ensure it works as intended and is safe before closing your door – this will give you confidence that everything works smoothly and safely while driving.