96 k1500 outside door handle broke, HELP!

[jelaine3]

The outside driver side door handle on my truck broke loose where the outside screw holds it on. I purchased a replacement part from a used parts dealer (its a new part tho) and they explained what I needed to do to replace it. Didn't sound too bad so I tried to do it myself and have hit a road block. I read some other posts on here on how to get the inside door panels off and have that done, and have the both bolts removed from the handle. But its connected to a couple of bars inside the door that I can't reach and don't know how to disconnect in order to remove the old latch. Also, how do I get these reconnected to the new latch? The parts place never said anything about this and I'm stumped. Been fighting with this all day and now its dark and my truck is still all tore apart. I hate to give up now and spend a lot of money to have the dealer work on it, but dont know what else to do. Can anyone help please??

[rhandwor]

I haven't done this year but normally you need a tool that looks like a bent screwdriver with a v shapped tip you slip this in to pop the panel and normally need new plastic holders. Go to a store like napa and ask for help they probably have tools or go back to where you bought the part and ask for help.
Buy a haynes manual they show pictures for your type of vehicle. Different years are somewhat different so get yourself a manual. You could waste a day if you are not sure what you are looking for.
Some of these you have to drill out or use a hole saw.

[jelaine3]

Thanks for the response, but I think you are talking about the tool to pop off the panels. I already have those off. The part I'm stumped on is getting the latch out of the door now. I can't figure out how to unhook the bars that connect to the lockset and the handle, and how to reconnect them to the new part.

[rhandwor]

Once you get the panel off this tool did this. But you have to unbolt it from the inside or drill out rivets or use a hole saw so you can get ancess to unbolt it. Go to auto zone and get a haynes manual with pictures so you know what you have to do. Look at the manual first to make sure it tells you what to do.
You might have to disconnect the bars at the other end then remove them.
If you have to drill they have small holes to center the hole saw but this is mostly for power windows.

[alblogg]

OK I know where you are and it is a hard job some times. Take the screws out of the vent in your door jam sometimes this helps. There is a rod going from your handle to the latch with a clip on it so if you can't see in there to the latch you will have to take the screws out of it. There will be the rod from your handle hooked to it and two from your inside handle.

[jelaine3]

Thanks for all the help. got it switched out and everything's back together and working.