How to Replace a Toyota Corolla Driver's Exterior Door Handle

If the driver's side exterior door handle on your Toyota Corolla's isn't opening or closing properly, it may need to be replaced. It's also possible to replace it with a more impressive aftermarket option if you wish. The door handle is connected to the door latch and lock cylinder within the door. You will need to remove the door's inner trim panel to remove and replace the exterior handle.

Instructions

Removing the Door Panel

1

Disconnect the car's negative battery cable.

2

Work a cloth behind the manual window handle to dislodge its retaining clip and remove it. If the door has power windows, pry off the controls with a trim stick and unplug the electrical connectors.

3

Remove the trim cover for the outside mirror by prying the retaining clip free with a small screwdriver. If the mirror has a manual control handle, unscrew and remove the handle with a screwdriver before removing the trim cover.

4

Pry the armrest panel out with the trim tool and remove the screws behind it.

5

Disengage the panel's retaining clips by working around the panel's outer edge with the trim stick or a wide putty knife. Detach the panel once all the clips are off and disconnect all electrical connectors.

6

Peel away the plastic watershield behind the door.

Removing the Handle

7

Reach into the access holes in the door and and disconnect the control rods from the lock cylinder and outside handle.

8

Remove the plastic cover on the door's outer edge to locate the lock cylinder's Torx bolt. Loosen this bolt with a Torx bit and pull the lock cover and cylinder from the outside of the door.

9

Disconnect the control rod and remove the mounting screws inside the door with a screwdriver to remove the exterior handle.

10

Remove the rod and door operating cable from the door handle assembly and transfer them onto the new door handle.

11

Separate the handle from the lock cylinder by prying its retaining clip off with a screwdriver or removing the retaining bolt.

Installing the New Handle

12

Connect the lock cylinder to the new door handle using the bolt or retaining clip.

13

Insert the handle and lock cylinder into the door and fasten it into place with the mounting screws and screwdriver. Connect all the control rods in the door to the handle and tighten the Torx screw with the Torx bit.

14

Re-connect the watershield and inner trim panel.