1996 door latch assembly

[cmac99]

We need to replace the door latch on the passenger side of our 1996 Lesabre custom. Is this something that you could do yourself? We've spent about $600 on this car in the last 2 months for work under the hood and replacing a passenger side mirror so I'm just trying to save some money. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Smith1000]

I have never taken a LeSabre door apart, but I have taken quite a few other doors apart to fix handles and window springs,etc. It seems like it always takes a long time to get it done. Everything has to come off the inside of the door, handles, etc. The door cover has to come off. There are usually clips that hold the door cover on that need to be popped out without tearing them up. Seems like there is usually some plastic that has to be torn out of the way. Then, with the window up, you would have to reach up in there to see if you can get it loose and unlatched. I need to take apart the door to tighten up a side mirror that is loose, but I keep putting it off because I keep looking at all the stuff on/in the door, electrical, etc. Instead, I put some liquid nail in the gap to see if it will snug it up. If you have it done somewhere, I bet it will be fairly costly due to the labor involved. Not too much fun to work on.

[Dr. Pimento]

To be quite honest, the exactly same issue happened to me - '96 LeSabre Custom, with the power-lock toggle broken off and falling down inside the door.

Ouch.

On the '96 'Sabre, there's what looks like an access "panel" of some sort, right at the lock area, with an allen screw holding it down - you might try pulling that off, and seeing if you have enough clearance to mess around, try to re-attach it.

Let me know if that works, 'cause I'm going to have to get something done with mine, sooner or later, too!

[cmac99]

That sounds like a little more work than I wanted! Guess I'll start saving up my pennies and get a professional to fix it. It's always something!