Front Door Latch Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Honda Fit, 2012 Honda Fit, 2011 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Fit, and 2009 Honda Fit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

Put on gloves to protect your hands.
Take care not to scratch the door or related parts.

Raise the glass fully.
Remove the door panel (see FRONT DOOR PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Disconnect the power door lock actuator connector, and detach the harness clips (see step 3 ).
Remove the plastic cover, as needed (see step 4 ).

Inner handle removal

Detach the latch cable fastener (A) from the latch cable (B).

Fig 1: Identifying Latch Cable Fastener & Latch Cable
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect the latch cable (A) from the lock knob (B).

Fig 2: Identifying Latch Cable & Lock Knob
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Detach the inner handle cable fastener (A) from the inner handle cable (B).

Fig 3: Identifying Inner Handle Cable Fastener & Inner Handle Cable
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect the inner handle cable (A) from the inner handle assembly (B).

Fig 4: Identifying Inner Handle Cable & Inner Handle Assembly
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull the glass run channel (A) away as needed, and remove the bolt, then remove the center lower channel (B).

Fig 5: Glass Run Channel, Center Lower Channel & Bolt With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Driver's door and passenger's door with door cylinder: Pull both side flanges (A) of the retainer (B) outward, and pull the middle flange portion (C) of the outer casing cover (D) out, then disconnect the cylinder cable (E) from the latch.

Fig 6: Pulling Flanges Of Retainer
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Door cylinder removal

If necessary, remove the front door outer handle (see FRONT DOOR OUTER HANDLE REPLACEMENT ). Cut a slot in each screw head of the special screws with a saw, remove the special screws, then separate the door cylinder (A) and the outer handle protector (B). If the retainer (C) is damaged, release the hooks (D), and replace it.
NOTE: If removed, the special screws must be replaced.

Fig 7: Identifying Door Cylinder, Outer Handle Protector, Retainer & Hooks With Screw
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Latch removal

Disconnect the outer handle rod (A) (see step 5 ).

Fig 8: Outer Handle Rod, Screws & Latch With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the screws (B, C) securing the latch (D), then remove the latch through the hole in the door.
NOTE: Take care not to bend the outer handle rod, the latch cable (E), or the inner handle cable (F).

Cable replacement

Remove the foam seals (A, B, C) from the latch protector (D) and the latch (E).

Fig 9: Identifying Latch, Latch Protector & Foam Seals

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Remove the screws, then remove the latch protector (A).

Fig 10: Identifying Latch Protector With Screws
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect the latch cable (A) and the inner handle cable (B).

Fig 11: Identifying Latch Cable & Inner Handle Cable
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the cables and the latch in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- Before reinstalling the latch protector, clean the latch and the latch protector surfaces with isopropyl alcohol where the new foam seals will be attached.
- After reinstalling the latch protector to the latch, attach the new foam seals to the protector and the latch.
- Make sure the latch cable and the inner handle cable are connected securely.
- Make sure that the actuator connector is plugged in properly, and that the outer handle rod and the cables are connected securely.
- Make sure the door locks and opens properly.
- When reinstalling the door panel, make sure the plastic cover is installed properly and sealed around its outside perimeter to seal out water.