Exterior Driver Door Handle

Noturboneeded · 12-21-2020, 10:47 PM

I have a 2005 Legacy GT and all but one of my exterior door handles (and one of the interior) are broken. I've been climbing through the passenger door for a couple months now, but I finally decided to replace some of the handles today for fear that the passenger one would break and I would really be in trouble. I got through one of the rear handles fairly easily in a couple hours, but I've run into a couple of problems and I was hoping some of you had done this and could possibly offer some guidance.

First question is fairly simple, on my rear driver side door, both the exterior and interior handles are broken so I'm not sure how to open the door to remove the door card and replace the handle assembly. Is there a simple way to open a door like this?

Second question is in regards to the front driver door handle. I got the old assembly out and placed the new one in without too much trouble, but one of the rod clips is a nightmare. I have the lock rod in place, however the latch rod clip does not seem big enough to go around the rod. I've struggled for a while now and even tried to melt it a little and spread the clip apart with a screwdriver, but the rod just refuses to get clipped in. Have any of you done this replacement and experienced anything similar?

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Unabomber · 12-23-2020, 09:50 AM

Have you watched youtube videos? I watched many of them in preparation for swapping the handles on my WRX. While many of the videos were NOT about the WRX or Impreza at all, I got a lot of confidence and knowledge that carried over from say Outback videos.

To your question, you should likely start with removing the interior door cards. This should allow access to the guts and SHOULD be able to be done with a closed door. From there, you should be able to remove the interior handle/open the door from the inside. I think this is best done with the window up but I'm sure a youtube video will tell best as I forget.

Clips are tricky and its amazing how such a crappy thing works so well when it does, but clipping things in is rough. I never had issues with my rods going into the clips. I would not try heat or prying but lube...silicone maybe. Or even a small handed friend....find you a Filipino girlfriend!

12-21-2020, 10:47 PM	#1
Noturboneeded Scooby Newbie Member#: 423982 Join Date: Jun 2015	Exterior Driver Door Handle I have a 2005 Legacy GT and all but one of my exterior door handles (and one of the interior) are broken. I've been climbing through the passenger door for a couple months now, but I finally decided to replace some of the handles today for fear that the passenger one would break and I would really be in trouble. I got through one of the rear handles fairly easily in a couple hours, but I've run into a couple of problems and I was hoping some of you had done this and could possibly offer some guidance. First question is fairly simple, on my rear driver side door, both the exterior and interior handles are broken so I'm not sure how to open the door to remove the door card and replace the handle assembly. Is there a simple way to open a door like this? Second question is in regards to the front driver door handle. I got the old assembly out and placed the new one in without too much trouble, but one of the rod clips is a nightmare. I have the lock rod in place, however the latch rod clip does not seem big enough to go around the rod. I've struggled for a while now and even tried to melt it a little and spread the clip apart with a screwdriver, but the rod just refuses to get clipped in. Have any of you done this replacement and experienced anything similar? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-23-2020, 09:50 AM	#2
Unabomber 👏 Big Ron 👏 Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I can save you a ton of cash Vehicle: on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy	Have you watched youtube videos? I watched many of them in preparation for swapping the handles on my WRX. While many of the videos were NOT about the WRX or Impreza at all, I got a lot of confidence and knowledge that carried over from say Outback videos. To your question, you should likely start with removing the interior door cards. This should allow access to the guts and SHOULD be able to be done with a closed door. From there, you should be able to remove the interior handle/open the door from the inside. I think this is best done with the window up but I'm sure a youtube video will tell best as I forget. Clips are tricky and its amazing how such a crappy thing works so well when it does, but clipping things in is rough. I never had issues with my rods going into the clips. I would not try heat or prying but lube...silicone maybe. Or even a small handed friend....find you a Filipino girlfriend!