Door handles

ParkRat · December 26, 2003

Has anybody ever replaced the door handles on a 99 yukon/tahoe? My driver side door handle cracked and I plan on replacing it myself. I know how to take the door panel off..but curious once I do if it is hard to get to the door handle itself. I replaced it on my 94 corvette and it took about 4 hours If it is anything like the vette's...screw it. Any advice would be appreciated before I start ripping it apart.

mdub · December 26, 2003

You talking about the outside or inside door handle?

The outside handles are easy to replace, especially if you know how to remove the door panels. I installed Escalade handles on my '03 (very similar to a '99), and it took ~45 minutes for the first, and ~10 minutes for the second. There was a steep learning curve figuring out how to remove the door panel on the first. In any case, the only small problem is that space is tight getting an end wrench to the inner most nut. There's a sharp metal edge close to the nut, so be careful not to cut your hand (I speak from experience...). Good luck.

Mdub

ParkRat · December 26, 2003

The outside door handles is what I am referring to. I've taken the door panels off at least a dozen times messing with my stereo so that isn't a problem. Seems like the window is in the way of the door handles... lol.. I guess I could roll the window up.

k1500chevy97 · December 27, 2003

a 99 should still be obs hold on a minute ive got a pic that might be helpful

mdub · December 27, 2003

You're right it would be OBS... I was thinking '99 pickup instead of Yukon.

sdtahoe · December 27, 2003

Easy to do, remove the door panel, drill out the single rivet, remove the lock and latch rods, and then reverse for intallation.

99-2door · December 27, 2003

You will need to remove the inner door structure. It has several 7mm screws along it's edge and one 10mm bolt in it. It rest on tabs on the bottom edge, so after you remove the screws pull it out then remove the rods from the lock actuator and interior door handle. With the window rolled down slide the regulator out of the channel on the window (you may have to bend retaining tabs on the ends of the channel). You don't need to unplug the panel just set it aside. Prop the window in the up position inside with a wooden block or something. Now the easiest way to remove the handle is to loosen the latch on the door so it can move a little (sometimes it is neccessary to totally remove the 3 torx bolts). Now remove the 2 bolts holding the ext. handle on (1 inside door, 1 on back edge). Pull the bottom of the handle out and remove the lock cylinder by pressing in on the release. Now you can pull the handle out with the second rod still attached.

Switch the rod and the little clips to the new handle and install in reverse order more or less.

It is far easier if you never remove the lock cylinder from the vehicle, most people don't do it this way. If you take the lock cylinder out you will have to reinstall the rods on it by reaching inside the door. There is very little room to work and it is a major pain.

99-2door · December 27, 2003

Easy to do, remove the door panel, drill out the single rivet, remove the lock and latch rods, and then reverse for intallation.

That's the interior handle, he was asking about the exterior one.

You are correct though,

ParkRat · December 27, 2003

you will need to remove the inner door structure. It has sveral 7mm screws along it's edge and one 10mm bolt in it. It rest on tabs on the bottom edge, so after you remove the screws pull it out then revoe the rods from the lock actuator and interior door handle. With the window rolled down slide the regulator out of the channel on the window (you may have to bend retaining tabs on the ends of the channel. You don't need to unplug the panel just set it aside. Prop the window in up position inside with a wodden block or something. Now the easiest was to remove the handle is to loosen the latch on the door so it can move a little (sometimes it is neccessary to totally remove the 3 trox bolts). Now remove the 2 bolts holding the ext. handle on (1 inside door, 1 on back edge). Pull the bottom of the handle out and remove the lock cylinder by pressing in on the release. Now you can pull the handle out with the second rod still attached.
Switch the rod and the little clips to the new handle and install in reverse order more or less.

It is far easier if you never remove the lock cylinder from the vehicle, most people don't do it this way. If you take the lock cylinder out you will have to reinstall the rods on it by reaching inside the door. There is very little room to work and it is a major pain.

Jesus Christ....

99-2door · December 27, 2003

you will need to remove the inner door structure. It has sveral 7mm screws along it's edge and one 10mm bolt in it. It rest on tabs on the bottom edge, so after you remove the screws pull it out then revoe the rods from the lock actuator and interior door handle. With the window rolled down slide the regulator out of the channel on the window (you may have to bend retaining tabs on the ends of the channel. You don't need to unplug the panel just set it aside. Prop the window in up position inside with a wodden block or something. Now the easiest was to remove the handle is to loosen the latch on the door so it can move a little (sometimes it is neccessary to totally remove the 3 trox bolts). Now remove the 2 bolts holding the ext. handle on (1 inside door, 1 on back edge). Pull the bottom of the handle out and remove the lock cylinder by pressing in on the release. Now you can pull the handle out with the second rod still attached.
Switch the rod and the little clips to the new handle and install in reverse order more or less.

It is far easier if you never remove the lock cylinder from the vehicle, most people don't do it this way. If you take the lock cylinder out you will have to reinstall the rods on it by reaching inside the door. There is very little room to work and it is a major pain.

Jesus Christ....

Yeah it looks like a lot when it is written out like that. But with a cordless drill to remove the screws I can do it and have the interior panel back on in less than 15 minutes. I am pretty practiced at it though. Probably do at least one a week.

ParkRat · December 27, 2003

The $150.00 qoute the dealer gave me sounds a lot better Thanks for all the input.. I guess I will try it tomorrow.

jryerson · December 27, 2003

I have the same problem with both my drivers and passengers side door handles. I want to replace them both but can not figure out how to get the door panel off. How exactly does it come off?