HOW TO: Replace Interior and Exterior Door Handles (1997 Yukon GT) - with pix

[lks dcvn]

Ok - I have dealt with problems of my door long enough.

My driver side exterior door handle was cracked and my driver side interior door handle was becoming increasingly harder to open (I would have to shove it to get out) due to a failing indoor handle (not the hinges).

I went to www.rockauto.com and bought the appropriate parts:

DORMAN 77096 Outside Door Handle $ 23.79
DORMAN 77187 Inside Door Handle $ 8.83
Shipping Ground $ 8.64
Order Total $ 41.26

Pix of these items are below.

There will be several posts with instructions and pictures so please do not post until I am done - Thanks!

[lks dcvn]

Here are the steps with instructions and pix:

The first two pictures are the before to show what I was working with...

Step 1. Remove the triangle at the front of the window

Step 2. Remove the trim around the inside door handle (pix 4 and 5 show the tab locations)

[lks dcvn]

Step 3. With the surround removed - pry the switch in the door up - it is connect with pressure seals - if you get a screwdriver under it and push up - they will pop out as you go around the edge of it. Leave the switches connected to the wiring - since you will have to put the window down in a little bit.

Step 4. Remove the two screws in the door handle - here they are starting to come out.

[lks dcvn]

Step 5. Put the windows down about a half inch or so...this will make it easier to get to the door handle bolts.

Step 6. Using a door panel tool (or a screwdriver like I did) disconnect the panel from the door. You may/will break some of the panel connectors so you may want to have a few replacement on hand for this.

Step 7. When the door panel is loose enough to take off (don't remove it yet) - disconnect the wiring from the window/lock switches at this point.

[lks dcvn]

Step 8. Disconnect the courtesy light from the door panel (pic 1 is connected still and pic 2 it is out)

Step 9. Remove the plastic door panel from the door and set it aside

Step 10. Now there is a metal insert on the door that will need to be worked with to get to the inner door parts (this holds the window regulators/door glass among other things). On the edge of the metal insert there are several 7mm bolts that will need to be removed. Note that there are two tabs on the inner door panel that hold it onto the door. These support the door glass so be sure that they are still in the correct position before removing the last bolt.

[lks dcvn]

Step 11. There is one 10mm bolt that is on the metal insert - remove that as well.

Step 12. Place a milk carton/box under the door for it to support the metal door insert while you work on the door.

Step 13. Lower the door insert down to rest on the milk carton - this eliminates dismantling the rest of the door to perform the swap

Step 14. Remove the 10mm bolt that holds the exterior door handle from inside the door - the metal insert/door glass might need to be moved to get to it. I was able to do this by myself.

Step 15. Remove the 10mm bolt from the door jam area of the door. The exterior door is now loose and held on by the door lock and pivot rod.

[Palf70Step]

Your directions are MUCH better than what I went by when I did my 96. Like you said not bad, but the Pain factor....sheesh. The lock was my main issue, mine just didn't want to snap into place until it and I had a serious discussion and it saw the BFH nearby.

[Jeep & GMC]

How do you disconnect the wires to the driver side window & Lock switches? Specifically the really long thin one, is it just friction, or is there some kind of clip? I got all the rest of the wires though. Thanks

[Weekend_warrior]

I just poped the switch unit off from the pannel without disconnecting the wires. You can just use a screw driver on the end the faces the latch. You will see where it clips in. You just get a smaller flat blade and push in a up a bit and it will come loose.

I think the connectors have a clip, but can't recall.