kirbyno1

Well ive decided to post my first DIY walkthrough. The exterior door handle on my 07 Civic is loose and is really annoying every time I open the door.



Here is how I went about removing the door skin so I could access the bracket inside the door. You need a "Pry Tool" or something like that (screwdriver) to unclip some of the pieces. I actually used an IPOD tool that I got on ebay to do the job. Its made of plastic so I don't have to worry about the scratches Start by pulling back the door handle on the inside to remove the access door.



After you remove the access door remove the screw on the left. Then push the center of the black snap to release it. I left it there because I didn't have much success with the pry tool. It eventually came out when I removed the door skin.



Next, use your pry tool to pry up the door control panel. Start at the back and it should release most of the clips.



When you release the clips slide the panel towards the back of the car and it should release. When it does flip it over and unhook the two plugs.



You will now see another screw. Remove it.



Now take a firm hold of the center of the door skin and give it a gentle pull. When you do it will unhook the clips around the outer edge of the doorskin. Then lift the skin out at the bottom and up at the top. After unclip the cables from the locking mechanism on the back of the skin. Move the lower clip straight down to unhook it. The rest im sure you can figure out



And there you have it. Now you can upgrade your speakers if you wish. My journey takes me further into the door. Behind the film to reveal the culprit! Looks like the morons that put this door back together (no it wasnt me) forgot a bolt.



Went to the local Honda dealer and they will have one in for me on saturday. Should be in good shape then!

K5^

Nicely put together DIY.

i-VTEC_DOHC

yea seriously.
nice diy.
this will help me when i put the suede on my doors

kirbyno1

Thank you guys. I dont think it came out too bad myself. I figure with the amount of work on my cars that I do I might as well post it so that someone can benefit.

kine462

for anyone who has never done this before becareful not to push the black center clip too hard or it will fall inside the door!!

kirbyno1

Installed the bolt yesterday. All fixed

whizdumb

Nice pics and write up.

I find it a little safer and easier to leave the door handle and the cables with the door while removing the panel around it. On the back of the door handle there are two clips holding it in on the top, if you press them down the handle will slide out of the front of the door panel. Otherwise it is possible to break those plastic cable locks, I did on one of mine.