Exterior Door Handle Removal HELP!!!!

Race18 · April 18, 2003

Hopefully someone has done this before. I have to replace the driver side exterior door handle on my 98 Z71. I cannot find how to get the door panel off. I know it has to be bolted at the door handle but can't see anything. If anyone has any tricks I would be greatful for the advice. I would love to find an exploded view of the door. So far no luck on a search. I'm thinking of going to the dealership where I bought the handle and begging them for an exploded view.

C0D3917 · April 18, 2003

First you have to pull off the small triangle shaped piece of plastic that covers the backside of the exterior side view mirrors. Next, take out the 2 screws located inside the arm rest pull. Its the little depressed are in your arm rest. Then you have to remove the door handle bezel, a flat screwdriver works best, there are 3 areas that you will need to release. Now you can take a trim removal tool, or some type of flat tool of your choice, and pry the edge of the door panel off. Lift up and off, after disconnecting any power accessories attached. To then remove the exterior door pull, you must unscrew the small bolt in the door jamb that is visible when the door is open, as for the other bolts, I beleive you have to grind off the 2 pop rivets to gain access to the other bolt to release the door handle. Hopefully this helps, I'm going off of memory from my 98.

silverado3500 · April 19, 2003

When you install the new haldle, use a little bit of loctite on the screws for the handle. I had to take the panel off 3 times to retighten the handle mounting screws.