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1997 Toyota Camry Exterior Driver-Side Door Handle Replacement

Have you ever tried to open your Toyota Camry’s...

iFixit Library 1997-2001 Toyota Camry Moderate 2 - 3 hours Guide 213599

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 Toyota Camry’s door, but a piece of the door handle falls off. Overtime the car handle can wear and tear. No worries, because it is not difficult to replace a1997 Toyota Camry’s door handle. It only takes 2-3 hours, and everything you need to replace the handle can be found at your local auto shop or online. This guide will demonstrate how to replace the 1997 Toyota Camry’s Exterior Driver side door handle. The guide will take you through the process of removing several bolts, screws, internal components, the door panel, etc.

Step 1

Gather Tools and New Door Handle

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Get all your tools ready!

Step 2

Putting Window Up

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Make sure the window is all the way up.

Step 3

Removing Plugs

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Use a pick tool to remove the two plastic plugs and the plastic trim inside the door release lever.

Step 4

Removing Trim Panel & Disconnecting Switch Housing

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a flat blade screwdriver to pop out the trim panel.
Remove the switch housing from the door by holding the button and disconnecting it.

Step 5

Removing Plastic Cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the small triangular plastic cover on the right side of the window interior.

Step 6

Removing Screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a no. 2 Phillips head screwdriver to remove the 5 Phillips head screws from the door panel.

Step 7

Removing Bezel

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the bezel by placing it between the handle and the bezel, starting from the bottom, then the top.

Step 8

Removing Door Panel

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Pop out the bottom of the door panel, then lift and remove the panel.

Step 9

Removing Interior Door Handle

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Use a 10mm socket with ratchet and extension to remove the bolt from the back of the door handle.
Rotate the interior door handle the opposite way to release the metal latch rods from the handle and the lock.
Remember that the upper is for the lock and the lower is for the handle

Step 10

Removing Metal Plate

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the 3 Phillips head screws from the metal plate.

Step 11

Removing Weather Shielding

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Carefully remove the weather shielding inside the door panel.
Pull the wiring harness through the shielding before finishing removing it.
Place the shielding off to the side where it won’t get wrinkled or torn.

Step 12

Disconnecting Latch & Lock Rods

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Disconnect the latch rod from the back of the door handle by flipping up on the plastic lock rod retainer clip.
Use a flat blade screwdriver to pry the latch rod out of the handle.
For the plastic lock rod retainer clip and rod repeat the same step.
The Plastic Lock Rod Retainer Clip is supposed to stay in the hole, but mine is broken, and the new door handle came with a new one.

Step 13

Removing Exterior Door Handle

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Use a 10mm socket with ratchet and extension to remove the 2 bolts.
Lift up on the door handle and pull out to remove it.

Step 14

Installing Bolt to New Handle

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Use a 10mm socket with ratchet and extension to remove the bolt.
Remove the lock from handle and reinstall it into your new handle.

Step 15

Installing Exterior Door Handle

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Install your new door handle the same way you took out the old one.
Use a 10mm socket with ratchet and extension to reinstall the 10mm bolts.

Step 16

Reconnecting Latch & Lock Rods

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Reconnect the lock rod into the hole on the bottom of the lock cylinder and snap the yellow lock rod retainer clip into place.
Reconnect the latch rod into the back of the door handle and snap the white lock rod retainer clip into place.

Step 17

Reinstalling Weather Shielding & Metal Cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Reinstall the weather shielding to the inside of the door making sure you put through the wiring
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to reinstall the 3 Phillips head screws in the lower metal cover.

Step 18

Reinstalling Interior Door Handle

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Reinstall the lock rod into the top and the handle latch rod into the bottom.
Connect the hooks from the back of the latch into the door, and slide back to engage them.
Use a 10mm socket with ratchet and extension to reinstall the 10mm bolt thats in the back of the handle.

Step 19

Reinstalling Door Panel

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Reinstall the door panel and make sure your door lock and window switch wires are pulled through so they don't get stuck behind it.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to reinstall your 5 Phillips head screwdriver on your door panel.

Step 20

Reconnecting Electrical Connectors, Bezel, Plugs, & Plastic Cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flat Head Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Reconnect the electrical connectors on your lock and window switch and place back onto the arm rest.
Reconnect the bezel around the interior door handle and reinstall your Phillips head screw.
Plug back in all three screw covers and snap back on the black triangular plastic cover.

Step 21

Finish Product

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Finished!