I am trying to replace my outside door handles and I cannot get the metal rod with the red plastic clip out of the existing door handle. The two nuts came off easily, but I can't separate the rod from the handle. The replacement ones I have in hand have a different style clip that swings down compared to what is actually installed in the door where this clip is not used. The rod has a red plastic cover that slides into the hole of the handle that will not come out. Is there a trick to get this out? Keep in mind the bottom of the window covers it a bit so space to work with is a premium.

 

I just did this a few weeks ago. I got my hand up there and squeezed the front side of the plastic clip and pushed back toward the rear of the car hard. It broke loose and took some knuckle skin with it. I had to install the new one a couple times cause it didn't sit right and actually started rubbing paint when I pulled up on it. Then I had to bend the down rod because it was hitting the top of the motor when locking. More of a pain than I thought but will be easier the next time. I did driver door only. The clips that came with mine matched the old one but I ended up re-using the old one. Hope this helps. Sorry I did not take pictures.

 

My existing handle does not use the clips that came on the new set. It just has the rod going through the hole of where the new clips are. I'll see if I can take a picture of it somehow. I am not sure if there is a release point with the red plastic piece that is covering the rod that is inserted into the hole in the handle. I tried wedging a wrench in there to use leverage to snap it out, but I nearly broke my window when it slipped. There's got to be a trick to it because elbow grease in that tight area can't be the answer.

 

Since you have a replacement clip, can't you just break the old one off? Doing this shouldn't damage the rod. I would try melting it off with a hot knife.

 

No, the clips are completely different as the one currently on the rod is acting like a sleeve plugging the hole as opposed to a removable clip that is grabbing the rod.

 

If they're plastic, I've never seen them before. I've seen metal ones of this type when I had to replace the outer door handles on my 93 Grand Prix (twice on the driver's side!). What you need to do is get a small screwdriver in there and pull the lower part of the clip out of the secondary hole that's holding it in place and push the clip up towards the handle before you slide the rod out...

Guess my other post didn't take... Stupid computer.

 

Done!

I finally realized that the clip was the same, just installed backwards. The clip installed in my passenger handle was the same clip that was on my replacement driver's side handle. It was also on the wrong side of the replacement handles which is what was contributing to my confusion. Just as the post above says, I put a small screwdiver in the lower part of the clip and it popped right up and the rod slid right out. I cannot believe I was making it so difficult. I ended up using the same clip that was on my old handle since I knew it would work properly.

Now that I know what's going on in there the driver's side should be much easier.

Considering you can get a new pair of handles in hand for $25 and knowing how to install, everybody should replace these to give your car a newer feel and elminate some unnecessary rattling from your possible broken handles.

This was certainly much easier than replacing the outer window sweep that I did prior. Talk about tedious!

Thanks for everyone's help on this.

 

Now imagine having to do 4 of those clips (1 each on the lock and handle on each side of the car). That's fun, especially when the handle breaks when it's 30 degrees out .

And yes, I totally agree with you about the window sweeps... Those are a PITA even with the window glass out of the doors .