So I have been searching on here. My dooor handle won't open anymore. I have to roll the windoows down and open the door from the inside.... All the cables checked out fine... Then I opened up the exterior door and found the plastic round cyluindrical piece fall apart into 3 pieces...


So my issue is... how tough is it to replace and put the pieeces of the door back together after I have ourchased a new door handle... or should I attempt to give the car to the dealer and have them replace it???

 

Anyone?

 

Myra01,

Removing and replacing the door panel isn't too tricky. Here's how you'd go about the procedure:

--Recommended tools--

-Phillips and Flathead Screwdriver
-1/4" Socket Wrench
-10mm and 12mm Sockets
-3" Extension

1) Remove the tab in your door handle that covers the screw (using the flat head screw driver), which secures the handle and window/lock switches to the door panel.

2) Using the Phillips head screw driver, remove the screw.

3) Now, remove the door handle and locate the tabs securing the wire harness for the door locks & power windows.

4) Using the flat head, push down on the tabs and pull the male end out of the wire harness with your other hand.

5) You can now locate 2 of the 3 bolts/screws that secure the door panel to the door. Using the 10mm socket, 3" extension, and the 1/4" drive socket wrench - remove the bolts/screws.

6) Located behind the interior door handle is a plastic covering with a hole cut in it, that goes around the rubber piece that is there to stop the handle. Use the flat head screw driver to remove that plastic piece.

7) Behind that piece, you will find the 3rd and final bolt/screw that secures the door panel. Using the 10mm socket, 3" extension, and 1/4" drive socket wrench, remove the bolt/screw.

8) You can pull the door panel off by hand. There are only tabs holding it on now, and they all will pop off.

9) Now on the inside of the panel, you will need to locate the backside of the interior door handle.

10) Remove the cables that operate the door lock, and opening mechanism. No tools are required for this step. (refer to this 350z door lock and handle diagram if need be)


Let me know if you need help with anything else

 

GOT IT!

I actually replaced the exterior handle without pulling the panekl off. I just had to remove 2 bolts and the handle came right off.

 

Pics will be awesome. Im having the same issue! WTF Nissan!!

 

Search this site I'm pretty sure I have pics up in a post and there have been other posts. It's actually a pretty easy change out, I've done it before to fix a door handle and then later to paint them. Just take a pic or something to make sure u close the tabs the right way and make sure to use a magnetic screw driver or nut to get the bolt out, I've had one drop inside already, to lazy to go retrieve it.

 

Our handles break at 75-100k miles and need to be replaced.

Ohwells.

 

Yea they suck *****, BOTH of mine broke within a month of each other.

 

Just like the guy said earlier - need to leave windows open & open doors from inside.
Both quit working within weeks of each other. 2003 with 14K miles. WTF?
Now searching here for fix.

 

The plastic piece on the inside of my door handle broke recently. My question is: Is the only way to get the interior door assembly is to get it from Nissan? I went there and they said its on back order and arnt sure when they would recieve it.

 

Anyone?

 

Yes, usually the only place to get the plastic clips are from the dealer. When I had to get some they had one in stock and needed to order the other one. The other one came the next day.

 

Well I heard you could get them on nissanpartzone.com but I dont know exactly the part number to get.

 

Looking at the inside door panel parts list, its hard to see exactly which piece to order. If you just need the little plastic clip that connects the rod, the best thing to do is call the dealer, and have them get it for you. Looking at the prices on nissanpartzone, they are just about the same as an actual dealer. And even if they don't have it in stock, you can at least get the actual part number from them.

 

Yea it seems everything is back ordered