I can't open the door anymore. Have to roll down the window and lift the outside handle to open it. Has anyone taken these door panels off and have a method? Thanks
I can't open the door anymore. Have to roll down the window and lift the outside handle to open it. Has anyone taken these door panels off and have a method? Thanks
Hey Kim! What 67heaven has said is correct but just changed up a smidge!! I just want to remind everyone, and I don't mind, is that I have worked with GM for the past 20 years and I have been fortunate enough to work in a small shop and therefor have done almost all with cars/trucks. The only exception being I was NOT fussy on the diesel side of it all but I have done my fair share on 6.5 but very little on the d-max's!!! To be honest, that is fine by me!!! (LOL)
OK, back to this problem! What has happened it most likely you have broken the inside door handle, common, mostly due to a dry latch/sagged door. I did one this morning and I have all the handles both left and right in all colours in stock! My suggestion is to stick to the GM ones as the aftermarket ones are worst again!
That being said, remove the 2 phillips in the handle as they are not removable anymore. Do you have the proper door panel remover? It is helpful if you do as it is V'ed to go around the clip.
Remove the door panel trim plate. There are 3 clips to disengage! Carefully pry between the door panel and bezel at the outer side, towards the door latch, and with a flat blade screwdriver, insert between the handle and the bezel to disengage that clip, the top clip then the bottom clip. Then push the bezel towards the front of the door towards the hinges to disengage the last one! Got it?? (lol)
Remove the power switch plate by pulling up at the rear of the plate and slide back towards the rear od the door. Disconnect wires.
Remove the "Shark fin" at the upper front of the door with a flat bladed V'ed tool and then you will see the type of 2 piece retainer used. The male end will stay on the fin and the female will hopefully stay in the door.
Do the same for the retainers in the panel feeling for the clips to ensure no breakage. Then remove the interior door bulb by pulling on the socket and remove the panel by lifting "up" on the panel. This will disengage the top part of the panel from the door.
Drill the rivit holding the handle, if used. I reinstall with a screw as it is easier to remove if need be. Slide the handle forward to disengage the locking tabs and pop the 2 rods from the clips.
When you get this done, let us know and I will give a heads up on the "fix" to prevent this from happening again! Also, give me your interior colour and I will give you a part # for it. They list at about $70!!
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 07:35:58 PM
My 99 Suburban has to be close if not the same. I can do this in my sleep, I've changed every power door actuator at least 4 times each plus both inside door handles on the front doors. I have to laugh at what Vincent says about being in stock, there are only three colours I think, grey, tan and maroon and I suspect every GM dealer in Canada sells a couple of these a day. Just think how many tow truck drivers are out there snapping these off!
ya, those white plastic panel retainers are a b!tch to separate. the inner handles are diecast, after awhile they bend slightly till they don't release the door latch. you know what happens when you try and bend diecast back.
My 99 Suburban has to be close if not the same. I can do this in my sleep, I've changed every power door actuator at least 4 times each plus both inside door handles on the front doors. I have to laugh at what Vincent says about being in stock, there are only three colours I think, grey, tan and maroon and I suspect every GM dealer in Canada sells a couple of these a day. Just think how many tow truck drivers are out there snapping these off!
And don't forget blue!!! Yea, and I would have had 2 changed myself in the time it took me to type what I said!!! (lol)
Before you reassemble, shorten the actuator rod to try and prevent this from happening again. Do this through the "armrest" hole. With 2 pair of pliers, bend the rod in an little "S" shape to shorten it but keeping the rod in the same position to the inside door handle clip. This prevents the handle from being pulled back too far, opening the latch and causing it break against the stop!!!
Before you reassemble, shorten the actuator rod to try and prevent this from happening again. Do this through the "armrest" hole. With 2 pair of pliers, bend the rod in an little "S" shape to shorten it but keeping the rod in the same position to the inside door handle clip. This prevents the handle from being pulled back too far, opening the latch and causing it break against the stop!!!
Good tip, now I'm going in again to make this little fix. Makes a lot of sense, I just bent mine out with my hand, gets a similar effect but doesn't last.
Got the part $61.56 after taxes. Now just waiting for the rain to let up.
Do you have to do anything with the round piece mounted on the top of the door panel just below the shark fin that hits the light switch on the dash for the int lights?
Do you have to do anything with the round piece mounted on the top of the door panel just below the shark fin that hits the light switch on the dash for the int lights?
Nope!! That is the button for the dome switch like you said! That will come with the panel! And just to let you know that the type of retainer used on the panel will give a very noticable "pop/crack" when they let go due to the barb style of the male pin.
Thanks Ray. The door handle works now and I broke a clip and went to the Dealer and went for a test drive in an 06........Nice truck. Now I got to put it together again
Thanks again guys....couldn't have done it without you. Went back in no time and everything works.
-- Edited by 455gto on Wednesday 8th of July 2009 03:30:40 PM
$61.56 after taxes. Now just waiting for the rain to let up.