How Do I Install Rear Door Latches on a Lexus?

Many Lexus vehicles, mostly SUVs, have a rear storage compartment instead of a trunk. In order to access the compartment, the vehicles have a rear door you can open with a rear door latch. Occasionally, the latch may break or become damaged in an accident. In this situation, the easiest solution is to simply replace the latch. Installing a new rear door latch on your Lexus is fairly simple and should not take you more than half an hour.

Instructions

1

Park the Lexus vehicle on a flat, level surface and engage the parking brake. Remove the keys from the ignition.

2

Open the rear door if you can. If you can't, enter the rear compartment through the front doors of the Lexus.

3

Pry off the plastic trim around the edge of the latch with a flat-head screwdriver. You will need to remove four small clips. Use the same screwdriver to pry them out.

4

Remove the plastic trim. Remove the four screws from the door latch using a Phillips screwdriver.

5

Pry the latch off the door with a flat-head screwdriver. Use the same screwdriver to disconnect the latch from the door actuator. Disconnect the wiring connector of the actuator.

6

Place the new latch onto the rear door and reattach the actuator. Reconnect the wiring connector.

7

Reattach the screws to secure the latch. Reattach the plastic trim and its clips.