Remove door handles and locks

It's a common issue with these cars that the door handles' metal brackets fatigue over time and break, making it hard to open the door. Fortunately, these are both cheap and easy to replace. It is unnecessary to remove the door cards for this job.

You'll need

A screwdriver
A pick or trim removal tool

Step 1 - Unclip the plastic trim on the door handle to reveal the first screw

Open the car door. Use a pick, small screwdriver or trim removal tool to carefully pull off the plastic trim that sits in the centre of the door handle. This reveals a screw at towards the front end of the car. Undo it.

Remove door handle first screw

Step 2 - Undo the 2nd screw inside the door jam, and manoeuvre the handle out of the door

With the door open you will see a screw located on the side of the door above the door latching mechanism. Undo this. The handle is now free to be carefully manoeuvred out of the door its self.

Remove door handle 2nd screw

The door handle should now come loose.

Mk1 door handle off car

Step 3 - Remove the locking mechanism and lock barrel

On the back of the handle you will see a small screw. Simply undoing this will allow the lock barrel to be pushed out. Note the position of the small spring - it's flanges face towards the rear of the car.

Unscrew back to remove lock barrel