I googled and searched on the net and have not found a DIY on how to remove or replace exterior door handles on lancer ce coupe or sedan, or maybe I haven't looked hard enough.
So I thought I'd do a write up, since I am in the middle of replacing my exterior door handles.
First I liked to make it clear, I will not be held responsible for anyone who follows this guide if by chance you break, damage or ruin some parts or hurt yourself. It is your own risk and responsibilities on attempting a DIY and remember always take precautions when using power tools and handling electrical wirings.
***Note
This is a DIY for a Lancer CE2 Sedan
I don't know how different the Coupes are, but I am assuming they are very similar apart from the door trims.
Ok now that I have cleared that out...
Tools you need.
10mm socket
Socket wrench
Socket wrench extension
Flathead screwdriver
Phillip screwdriver
Bended tip tweezer
And any Pliers will do
Step 1
Open the door wide
- The are 4 screws you need to unscrew
After removing the screw get a Flathead Screwdriver and pry it off as show on the photo below.
Once you take screw out, pull the handle and using your hand(screwdriver if you don't want to break your finger nail lol) pry the backing off, should just slide right out.
As shown on the photo below.
Now you need to take off the window winder. You will need the bended tweezer or you can use a wire coat hanger with a bend at the tip.
As shown on the photo below, you need to hook the tweezer on the clip thats holding the winder.
Now you need to pull the door trim off from the door frame. Starting from the bottom and work yourself up. Be very careful you don't want to damage the clips as you'll need them to put the trim back.
Step 2
Now..., with the door trim out of the way. You will need to peel half or a quarter of the plastic seal, just enough to have access to the door handle inside.
As shown on the photo below.
When you look inside, you will see two bolts holding the door handle and a key module thingy with wires (mine has wires maybe because it has central locking). Where the green arrow is pointing there's a metal clip you need to take off or you can just open it wide, wide enough the key module thingy will just pop out.
As shown in photo below.
Once you have taken that off, you can then unscrew the two bolts using 10mm socket with Socket wrench and extension. As shown in the photo below.
With the bolts off, now you need to slide it a fraction to the right and down. Then guide it through the hole for it pop out the other side.
Step 3
With the door handle hanging out you'll see a plastic clip, by using a Flathead Screwdriver you can pry that clip open. (Be very carefully you don't break that clip)
Once you unclip that, the metal rod should just slide out.
As shown on the photo below.
If you are replacing the door handle, you will need to take the clip off, by using a plier and grip it on then push, it will slide out.
Or you can just leave it the there if you are painting the door handle.
The photo below is the door handle replacement with the clip in place.
Ohhhh!!! Before I forget, you will need that metal clip for the key module thingy, if your replacement didn't come with it.
As shown in the photo below.
That's it... you're almost done
You just need to put everything back in reverse.
Once you have put everything back, now go do the same thing on the other door.
As for the Rear Door Handle is a bit tricky. I will do another DIY for that.
Hope this DIY is clear and helpful.
So I thought I'd do a write up, since I am in the middle of replacing my exterior door handles.
First I liked to make it clear, I will not be held responsible for anyone who follows this guide if by chance you break, damage or ruin some parts or hurt yourself. It is your own risk and responsibilities on attempting a DIY and remember always take precautions when using power tools and handling electrical wirings.
***Note
This is a DIY for a Lancer CE2 Sedan
I don't know how different the Coupes are, but I am assuming they are very similar apart from the door trims.
Ok now that I have cleared that out...
Tools you need.
10mm socket
Socket wrench
Socket wrench extension
Flathead screwdriver
Phillip screwdriver
Bended tip tweezer
And any Pliers will do
Step 1
Open the door wide
- The are 4 screws you need to unscrew
After removing the screw get a Flathead Screwdriver and pry it off as show on the photo below.
Once you take screw out, pull the handle and using your hand(screwdriver if you don't want to break your finger nail lol) pry the backing off, should just slide right out.
As shown on the photo below.
Now you need to take off the window winder. You will need the bended tweezer or you can use a wire coat hanger with a bend at the tip.
As shown on the photo below, you need to hook the tweezer on the clip thats holding the winder.
Now you need to pull the door trim off from the door frame. Starting from the bottom and work yourself up. Be very careful you don't want to damage the clips as you'll need them to put the trim back.
Step 2
Now..., with the door trim out of the way. You will need to peel half or a quarter of the plastic seal, just enough to have access to the door handle inside.
As shown on the photo below.
When you look inside, you will see two bolts holding the door handle and a key module thingy with wires (mine has wires maybe because it has central locking). Where the green arrow is pointing there's a metal clip you need to take off or you can just open it wide, wide enough the key module thingy will just pop out.
As shown in photo below.
Once you have taken that off, you can then unscrew the two bolts using 10mm socket with Socket wrench and extension. As shown in the photo below.
With the bolts off, now you need to slide it a fraction to the right and down. Then guide it through the hole for it pop out the other side.
Step 3
With the door handle hanging out you'll see a plastic clip, by using a Flathead Screwdriver you can pry that clip open. (Be very carefully you don't break that clip)
Once you unclip that, the metal rod should just slide out.
As shown on the photo below.
If you are replacing the door handle, you will need to take the clip off, by using a plier and grip it on then push, it will slide out.
Or you can just leave it the there if you are painting the door handle.
The photo below is the door handle replacement with the clip in place.
Ohhhh!!! Before I forget, you will need that metal clip for the key module thingy, if your replacement didn't come with it.
As shown in the photo below.
That's it... you're almost done
You just need to put everything back in reverse.
Once you have put everything back, now go do the same thing on the other door.
As for the Rear Door Handle is a bit tricky. I will do another DIY for that.
Hope this DIY is clear and helpful.