Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Aztek and 2003 Buick Rendezvous. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Place tape around the handle to protect the paint.
Important: The outside door handles have adjustable handle-to-lock rods. This allows for adjustment of the amount of travel needed to operate the outside door handle.

It is important to remove all free play between the outside handle and the lock. Do NOT operate the outside handle before you have made these adjustments.
Remove the trim panel. Refer to TRIM PANEL REPLACEMENT - SIDE REAR DOOR (AZTEK) or TRIM PANEL REPLACEMENT - SIDE REAR DOOR (RENDEZVOUS) .

Fig 1: Removing Rear Outside Door Handle (1 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the water deflector. Refer to WATER DEFLECTOR REPLACEMENT - REAR DOOR .
Disconnect the outside door handle rod-to-lock
Remove the center of the rivets using a center punch.

Fig 2: Removing Rear Outside Door Handle (2 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Drill out the rivet from the outside door handle using a 6.35-mm (1/4-in) drill bit.

Fig 3: Removing Rear Outside Door Handle (3 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the outside door handle from the rear door.
Remove the outside door handle from the door handle rod.

Fig 4: Removing Rear Outside Door Handle (4 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.