Help With Ext. Handle Swap

[soulsea]

Hi folks,

I googled this and did a TYF search but couldn't find anything so perhaps someone can either give me some input or direct me to an existing thread or yt vid?

I just got my 4 esky/nali chrome exterior door handles ...

Before I go pay someone to install them I was wondering if this is something that someone like myself, with almost no mechanical knowledge, could undertake?

I imagine door panels have to be removed therefore all sorts of electrical connections from inside the door would have to first be disconnected.

Anyhoot, if it's something simple maybe I'll give it a go, if not she's at the dealer on tuesday for scheduled service and I'll have them do it.

Thanks for any help.

Cheers!

 

[bauer4567]

As far as removing the door panel, it is pretty simple, once you do it. The instructions below will get it off. Then there are holes in the inner sheet metal of the door, which give just enough access to reach the two nuts which hold the handles in place. Both of these nuts are easy to unscrew, but hard to get OUT of the inside piece of metal without it falling inbetween the two pieces of metal! Once those nuts are off, their is just a little clip that holds the lock linkage in place... To put the new handles on, getting the nuts back through to the new studs is just as tricky as getting them out without them dropping between the panels... Not very difficult for the entire process... and once you do one, it it not a big deal... if you do not trust yourself, then just let your dealer do it...

quoted from Zach2011 in this thread http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11993

First, take off the triangular piece on the top of the door panel. Then, there is a cover inside the door handle pocket, take it off with a flat head screw driver, it will reveal a 10mm bolt. Then there is another 2 behind a cover, located inside the door pull. Take out those 2 bolts.

Lift up the door switch panel with a flat head screw driver and unhook all the wiring harnesses. Set it aside.

Then, you will need to start pulling the door panel. It's held in by retainer clips, so pulling forcefully usually won't break anything (though it may feel like it) and is required. I started from the bottom when I did it; use something flat to pry it just enough to get your fingers up in there and pull. Once you get 1 popped, it will be easy.

After that, you will need to unhook the door locking cable, usually can be done with needle nose pliers. Then your door panel will be off.