01 CIVIC DOOR HANDLE REPLACEMENT?

[hotrodguy34]

trying to replace broken door handle on 01 civic. got everything apart, but can't figure out how to release the clip that holds the door handle assy. to the lock cylinder. it's hidden behind the metal plate that holds the lock cyl. from the inside. any ideas appreciated.
thanls,
Chuck

[monkeyboyo]

Originally Posted by hotrodguy34

trying to replace broken door handle on 01 civic. got everything apart, but can't figure out how to release the clip that holds the door handle assy. to the lock cylinder. it's hidden behind the metal plate that holds the lock cyl. from the inside. any ideas appreciated.
thanls,
Chuck

Hi,
Did you get any help with this or work it out.
I'm in exactly the same situation and its driving me mad.
I can see what needs to be done, but its just not working out.
Thanks for any wisdom you may be able to impart !
peter

[hotrodguy34]

hey pete,
yea,i got it handled. not a job i want to do again!!
if you get your new handle assy, and look at it you can see where the clip is located, and it has a small place on the bottom of it that you can hook into to pull it down to release it. i took a very small screwdriver, and bent it on the end to get up behind that metal plate, and hook the clip. i'm sure honda must have a special tool to get at it, but i finally got it. yes very frustrating.
hope this is of any help
chuck
hotrodguy34@hotmail.com

[monkeyboyo]

Hi Chuck,
Thanks for your reply !
Glad you got it done. I had actually got a little dentist mirror and could see exactly what needed doing. But just couldn't do it, despite making my own hook etc.
In the end, I got it done by going from the outside. After creating some movement in the doorhandle housing, I took a very long thin screwdriver vertically down through the corner of the housing alongside the barrel itself and pushed down on the clip. It worked no problem, and no damage to the door panel. I wish I'd thought of this hours earlier.
For the record, I spoke to Honda this week, and they agree themselves that it is a difficult job. They apparently have no specialist tool for this - they just blindly keep on trying to hook it until it works out. I also had gone to a local garage that gave up on it after 30 minutes.
All the best
peter