Inside Door Handle Release

Steviewevie · August 20, 2008

The inside door release handle on my passenger's door seems to have been damaged by a previous owner, a lot of the silver coating has come off from the inside of it and it really needs replacing.

How hard a job is this to do ? And are the handles easy to come by ? I guess I could probably get one from a Lexus dealer or maybe on eBay.

With my lack of expertise I can just imagine taking it apart and finding it too difficult to get back together again !

Paradroid · August 21, 2008

I can't speak for the IS200 specifically, but I've done this on other cars.

What I'd expect is:

Use a screwdriver to remove the cover over the screw on the door handle.

Undo the screw

The handle should now come free but don't put much force on it, try to look behind, where I'd imagine you'll see the door release rod, and a plastic clip which clips the door handle to the rod. You'll need to unclip the rod to free up the handle so it can be removed.

I've found on some cars the clip can be brittle so be careful you don't break it!

Chris.S · August 21, 2008

as far as i know after removing the door panel the handle just screws on and the rods clip in

Steviewevie · August 22, 2008

Thanks for the replies. Looking at the online manual I thought I'd struck lucky with the first step in disassembly of the door, but I see that's just removing the door handle bezel and not the handle itself.

Looks like I'd have to remove the door handle bezel, the electric window switches, the armrest, the door trim panel and only then can I remove the door handle. Is this right ? Looks a bit complicated to me, I'd worry that once I'd got all this apart that I wouldn't be able to get it back together properly.

Mr Mole · August 22, 2008

Thanks for the replies. Looking at the online manual I thought I'd struck lucky with the first step in disassembly of the door, but I see that's just removing the door handle bezel and not the handle itself.
Looks like I'd have to remove the door handle bezel, the electric window switches, the armrest, the door trim panel and only then can I remove the door handle. Is this right ? Looks a bit complicated to me, I'd worry that once I'd got all this apart that I wouldn't be able to get it back together properly.

And have some bits left over ,sorry but had to say it.