82 exterior door handle removal/ install ?

[riz]

I'm in the process of putting items back onto my freshly painted K5 Blazer and I'm currently working on removing the old exterior door handles and replacing them with new ones. I have been able to remove the two bolts but not sure how to release the old handle from the operating rod in the door. I know there's a square shaped clip but not sure how the best way to release it and reassemble the new handles. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been searching for a video showing this process but none found so far and it's time for bed.

Thanks,

RIZ

[Tuff 1986]

I hope someone can help.. I am going to replace mine when my truck gets painted..

[Your41Plague12]

From what I remember, it's easier to unclip the rod from the latch and pull it through the hole in the door with the handle. From there, it should be easy to un-do the rod from the handle itself. Post some pictures!

[riz]

My exterior handle is held in place by a rod that vertically runs through the back of the handle in the door. I can't for the life of me get the rod to release any which way??? Any tips?

RIZ

[Your41Plague12]

There's a clip at the end of the rod by the latch that needs disconnected. If I remember correctly, disconnect the latch from the door itself, and rotate it to where the clip is more accessible. The clips are kind of tricky, I believe they slide over a recessed area on the rod itself. It's hard to describe. I'll post some pictures from the internet to try to show you.




I drew a circle on the second picture. There will be a bend in the rod toward the end, and near the end of the rod itself there will be a ring cut into it. The bent end goes through this hole, and the clip slides over it. To remove the clip, you need to slide it up where the small end is out of the groove, and then slide it off the rod. Here is a picture of the clip to better describe what I'm saying. Hope this helps!

[Sodell]

Make sure you tape around the opening well. The easiest way I have found to do this is to pull the handle out and then push the pin through the spring and then just leave everything connect at the rod. Then when you replace the handle just put the spring back and lightly hammer the pin back in.
I have done this the last few times and it seemed to be the quickest way to get them off and back on.