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2007 Kia Spectra Rear Driver Side Exterior Handle Replacement

Have you ever tried to open your Kia Spectra's...

iFixit Library Kia Spectra Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 194990

Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Have you ever tried to open your Kia Spectra's door and the handle came off? With time and wear, car handles can break down. Thankfully, it's not too hard to replace the 2007 Kia Spectra door handle. It only takes a few hours—and everything you need to replace the handle can be found at your local auto shop or online. This guide demonstrates how to replace a broken exterior handle on the rear driver-side door of a 2007 Kia Spectra. It'll take you through the process of removing several parts of the door, including the visible car interior (so you can get to the internal components), the track that the window slides on, and the opening and locking mechanism. Before you begin, make sure the window is fully up and the car is off and in Park.

Step 1

Repair step

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Make sure the door's window is all the way up.
If the window is left down the handle will be difficult to replace and you run the risk of breaking the window while performing the repair.

Step 2

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Pry the small triangular plastic cover on the left side of the window interior with a spudger or trim tool.
Work clockwise from the bottom edge to release the clips and remove the cover.
This will make it easier to take off the door cover.

Step 3

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a spudger or trim tool to pry off the plastic and foam armrest from the door interior.
Work from the left edge inward until you are near the center of the door, then lift up the piece from there.

Step 4

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #2 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Pry off the small screw covers near the left edge of the door and the bottom edge.
Pry off the hinged screw cover near the handle using a spudger on its left edge.

Step 5

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #2 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the three screws that were just uncovered.
Two 19.1 mm-long screws on the edges of the door interior
One 15.9 mm-long screw securing the handle assembly cover

Step 6

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #2 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the two 25.4 mm Phillips #2 screws at the sides of the armrest console box.

Step 7

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a spudger or trim removal tool to release the clips and remove the plastic cover around the handle.
Move the cover off to the right while threading the handle through.

Step 8

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Work around the door’s interior cover with a spudger and your hands, prying up the snap-in hooks that hold it in place.

Step 9

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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The cover should now be loose.
Reach under and disconnect the cable that powers the door's window controls.
Squeeze the tab on the cable and gently wiggle the cable from side to while lightly pulling down to remove it without damaging the connector.
The plastic on the connector may be brittle, so don't apply too much pressure.

Step 10

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Hold the door cover at the left and right edges, lift, and pull it off the door.

Step 11

Repair step

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Carefully remove the plastic splash guard, keeping the black adhesive attached if possible.
Avoid tearing it so it can be reused during reassembly.

Step 12

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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You will need to remove the window track, a thin piece of plastic inside the door, to proceed. Use your 10mm socket wrench to do so.
Use a 10 mm socket wrench to remove the following bolts:
The bolt below the left edge of the window
The bolt at the bottom of the outer edge of the door
Remove the window track from the interior of the door.
The panel should come off easily. If it doesn’t, check for any remaining bolts or connectors and make sure it isn’t caught on anything.

Step 13

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #2 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the 15.9 mm screw securing the handle assembly to the door.
Unhook the plastic pins attaching the metal latches to the handle assembly.
Slide the handle assembly to the left and off the door, rotating the lock and handle as needed. Then remove the latches from the handle assembly.

Step 14

Repair step

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Release the latches from the plastic hooks midway along the door and let them hang to the side.

Step 15

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #2 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the door actuator at the end of the latches to access the handle assembly.
Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove three 22.2 mm screws from the middle of the outside edge of the door, just above the child lock switch.
Press the tab near the cable connector to unplug the cable, then pull it out and to the right.
There is a white clip holding in the actuator near the cable at the bottom left of the door. Push it inwards and slide the actuator to the right to unhook it.
Take out the actuator and set it aside with its screws.

Step 16

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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The handle assembly should now be visible.
The small plastic piece beside the exterior handle is called a handle cover.
Use a socket wrench to remove the bolt inside the door cavity and the bolt accessible through the hole above the child lock.

Step 17

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the door handle cover and any broken pieces from the handle assembly.
Snap the assembly back into place on the interior of the door when finished.

Step 18

Repair step

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Slot the new handle in from the left side first, then position the right side.
Slide the handle to the left until you hear a click, indicating it is properly hooked in place.

Step 19

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heavy-Duty Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Snap the handle cover back on.
Hook it in by its right side first, then push down on the left to click it into place.
It's good practice to test a device's functionality before reassembly. Make sure to test out the window's control, the interior and exterior handles, and the child lock on the door.