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Replacing S30 Exterior Door Handle
Replacing a S30's exterior door handle is not very difficult. Usually the handle snaps on one side from fatigue and probably weathering. Because of the broken part, the handle will pull out of the door a bit when opening the door. It may still open ok but it will look bad.
Items Needed
- Exterior Door handle
- Phillips Screw Driver
- Flat head Screwdriver
- 8mm cresent wrench
- Window Crank removal tool
Removal and Installation
The first step in replacing the handle is to remove the inner door trim. This is a fairly straight forward process although the circlip on the window winder can give grief. Use an old rag and place it behind the window crank and slowly slide it towards the clip till it pops off. Make sure you are ready to catch as it comes off so you don't lose it. You can actually get a tool for removing these as well.
Clip location
Door Window Crank Handle Removal Tool from Eastwood Co.
Once that's off and the other parts like the lock knob, arm rest etc. You should wind the window down (just place the winder handle on for now without the circlip). This will let you see the back to the door handle, you will see two nuts securing the handle on, leave them for now.
The hardest part of all this is removing the rod that attaches to the handle, this rod is what moves when you lift the door handle. There is a small plastic clip that the rod goes into but doesn't like coming undone from the rod. You have to twist it and then the rod will slide out. See the Diagram Above or Fiche Section 6G11
Now you have disconnected the rod, you can undo the two nuts on the back of the door handle. I think it's an 8mm and pull the handle from the door.
Once you have it removed slide the new handle in. Connect the rod first before bolting in the handle. At the bottom of the rod you may need to wind it up and down using a plastic nut. If you can't close the door properly it's probably because this needs adjustment. The wear on the thread VS the unexposed thread will give you an idea where it needs to be again to be in proper adjustment.
If all goes well, you new handle will be in sitting nicely and firmly with all new gaskets and plastic trimmings.