R1T Driver's side front door handle Replacement

ID: 204710

Description: This guide is designed to help you replace the...

Steps:

  1. Remove Interior Trim: Use your plastic pry tools to carefully remove the guard/cup behind the interior door handle [03:30]. Next, remove the leather-wrapped trim from the lower armrest (starting from the rear) and the rubber mat from the bottom of the door pocket.
  2. Remove Fasteners: Locate and remove the 5 black T-20 Torx screws. Note: There are several silver screws in the same area; these do not need to be removed [03:54].
  3. Pop the Panel: Starting at the top rear, use a wide pry tool to work around the perimeter, popping out the plastic fasteners [04:49].
  4. Disconnect Top Rail: Roll the window down. Pull the top of the door panel straight out toward the interior of the vehicle to release the metal clips [04:54].
  5. Window & Electronics: Roll the window back up before proceeding. Unplug the main electrical connector by pressing the thumb tab [05:24].
  6. Detach Latch Cable: Use needle-nose pliers to grab the metal cable. Rotate it 90 degrees (perpendicular to the panel) and move it down to drop the cable head out of the handle housing [06:06]. Walk the cable housing out of its clip and set the door panel aside.
  7. Remove Cross-Member: Unscrew the metal structural bar using your 10mm and 8mm sockets [08:25]. You must also remove the white plastic mount at the rear that overlaps this bar.
  8. Slice the Vapor Barrier: The rear-most white plastic panel is secured with a heavy silicone/RTV adhesive [07:57]. Use a pry tool to create a gap, then use a razor or cutting tool to "encourage" the silicone to separate while pulling the panel away [10:22].
  9. Expose Access Holes: Locate and remove the two round yellow stickers covering the access holes [14:18]. Note: Do not remove the top two stickers, as these hold the window strut in place [14:31].
  10. Protect the Finish: Apply masking tape over the exterior handle before moving it to prevent scratches from the internal mounting studs [10:59].
  11. Disconnect Wiring: Unplug the electrical connection at the front of the handle assembly while it is still bolted in [15:08].
  12. Unbolt the Handle: Using a 10mm socket with an extension, remove the one nut at the front (via the plastic panel opening) and the two nuts at the rear (via the holes previously covered by tape) [14:55].
  13. Clear Zip Ties: Reach inside the door and snip the zip-tie fasteners securing the wiring loom and the latch cable [12:49].
  14. Detach Cable: Disconnect the door latch cable from the handle assembly by hand or with pliers [12:13].
  15. Extraction: Ensure the handle is in the "closed" position to make removal easier [11:04]. Slide the entire assembly down and toward the front of the door, moving it past the window motor to extract it through the main opening [11:53].
  16. Work backwards through the instructions for reassembly.
  17. Adhesive: The original silicone is often tacky enough to re-adhere when pressed back into place [09:20]. However, for a better seal against dust and noise, applying a fresh bead of RTV or interior adhesive is recommended [13:54].
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