1996 Toyota Camry Right Front Passenger Outside Door Handle Removal

Pulling on the front passenger outside door handle of your 1996 Toyota Camry and having nothing happen can be frustrating. You don't want people climbing over your console to get to the passenger's seat. Aside from getting footprints and dirt on your console, there is always a chance of damaging something. Fortunately, you can avoid any damage and save some money by replacing the door handle yourself. You can get the handle from a Toyota dealer, but they are also available aftermarket. Check price and availability at a local parts store.

Instructions

Removal

1

Close the window. Remove the triangular shaped trim panel next to the window by prying out on it with your fingers or a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the inside door handle bezel by prying it out, back end first. Pry the screw covers off the door panel screws with a small flat-head screwdriver. Remove the five screws. Two are on the edge toward the hinges, one is at the top of the armrest, one is at the bottom of the armrest and one is just inside the front of the map holder.

2

Remove the two pins in the back end of the door panel by pushing in on the center of the pins with a small Phillips screwdriver and prying them out with a flat-head screwdriver. Starting at the back and working forward, slide your fingers under the bottom edge of the door panel and pull out to pop out the panel retaining pins. Lift the panel up and away from the door far enough to disconnect the wire harness from the control panel. If you have a crank window, before removing the door panel, slide a rag behind the window crank and work it back and forth to remove the retaining clip.

3

Peel back the plastic shield just enough to expose the access holes in the door. Reach through the large access hole and remove the clip from the door handle rod by pushing it off the rod with your finger. Slide the rod out of the door handle. Remove the two 10-mm bolts securing the handle to the door. From the outside of the door, pull the handle down and out enough to remove the door lock rod clip. Remove the rod and the handle will be free of the door.

4

Remove the 10-mm bolt holding the lock cylinder to the old handle. Transfer the lock cylinder to the replacement handle and secure it with the bolt.

Installation

5

Slide the lock rod into the lock cylinder assembly and lock the clip over the rod. Fit the door handle in place in the door. Secure it with the two 10-mm bolts. Slide the handle rod into the handle and lock it in place with the clip.

6

Cover the exposed access holes with the plastic shield. Connect the wire harness to the control panel. Slide the top of the door panel over the ridge at the top of the door. Line up the retaining pins at the bottom of the door. Push the pins in place. Insert the two pins on the back end of the door.

7

Install the five screws in the door panel and tighten them. Press the screw covers into place over the panel-retaining screws. Snap the inside door handle bezel in place. Line up the clips on the rear of the triangular shaped trim panel with the grommets next to the window and push until they snap in place.