`97 camry door handle change

My door handle broke and I orderd a replacement handle. I got the side panel off the door but can't reach the handle. I was only able to get out one screw. There is metal blocking full access to the old handle, 2 screws and the bar that attaches to the handle. Any one know a better way to change out the handle?

*Its the outside door handle.

Unfortunatly there is no easy way out.You have to get a small wrench/socket in there.

what about the bar thats attached to the handle. There is a plastic piece holding it in place.

You can remove the bar...you'll actually have to disconnect it when you go to remove the handle.

I decided to have another go at it today since I have to tackle another small issue on the center console. Thanks for the help.

I am dealing with the same problem
It sounds like its hard to get to the bolts inside the door panel. Do you think an extended socket head will get in there? A couple other questions;
Are they screw or bolts that are holding the door handle in place?
How do you disconnect the metal bar from the handle? Is it a snap assembly?
Is there any other tricks that someone should know to get this done, for example transferring the lock cylinder fro the old to the new door handle housing?

THanks!!!!!

The door handle is bolted on, and I really don't think that an extended socket will fit back in there. I really think that the only good way you can get to it is the old-fashioned way, with a box-end wrench. The metal bar that you're referring to can either be attached with the "snap assembly" or with a lock ring. Either way, they're both plastic, and easy to remove. I really have no idea on how to change the lock cylinder from the old handle to a new one, although I'm pretty sure it bolts in some way too. Check it out, see what you've got to work with, and let us know what you're result was. Best of luck.

Mine is a 1996 Camry. I they quoted me a $270.00 in labor to replace the interior handles on both the sides in the front. I bought the handles on ebay for $42.00 including shipping. Anybody know how much it would actually cost?

We're discussing the exterior handles, although I'm really not so sure as to how much it would cost to get the interior handles. Are you asking for the handles cost themselves, or the handles and labor, or just labor?