When the door lock on your vehicle’s driver’s side or passenger side door is not working, you may not be able to adequately secure your vehicle to prevent theft or vandalism. Because of this, tending to your door lock should be a top priority. The good news is that removing your car lock is an important first step to take to fixing or replacing it. This is a fairly simply process, and you only need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers to complete the work.
Removing the Door Panel and Handle
With the door open or from the inside of the vehicle, remove the arm rest from the door using the screwdriver. If the door has built-in speaker covers, these covers will also need to be removed. You will also need to carefully remove the actual door panel, but this should be done with care. The door panel is typically secured with plastic clips that may break easily. At this point, you should see the screws that are fastening the door handle into place. Remove the screws with a screwdriver, and use the pliers to remove any plastic clips that are securing the door handle. By twisting the clip, the inside of the door handle should be freed.
Removing the Door Handle Assembly and Lock
Once you have completed these steps, the next step involves removing the door handle assembly. To do this, you must first locate the rod in the lock core and disconnect it. Then, locate the two bolts that are securing the door handle assembly. Finally, open the clip to free the door handle assembly from the door. At this point, the door lock should be removed, and the door should be open.
Installing the New Lock
If your plan is to replace the door lock with a new lock, this process can now be completed. Essentially, you will follow the removal process in reverse. This involves securing the lock core with the clip and snapping the new core into place in the door. Then, you can reattach the door handle assembly and reconnect the rod. The bolts will need to be reattached, and the rod needs to be secured into the lock core. After completing these step, you can install the door handle and secure it with the plastic clip. Finally, the door handle, door panel, speaker covers and arm rest can all be reattached to the door using the screwdriver as necessary.
Whether you have plans to fix or replace the door lock on your vehicle, you can see that this is a straightforward process that requires minimal time and effort. After you have completed these steps, you should have a functional door lock on your vehicle.