My 1998 Toyota Corolla needs 2 new handles (driver/passenger). What to do?

C

clio

New member
Last winter the handle on the Passenger side snapped off. I can't imagine this being too difficult of a fix because it still works from the inside and if you can fit your fingers under it you can open it from the outside.

I'm more worried about my driver's side. The other day the outside handle came loose and is about to break off but can still be opened gently. However the inside handle is not working whatsoever.

I was going to avoid the hassle and just take it somewhere but I am worried about the cost. My father is pretty handy and might be able to fix this with some instruction if I can find the parts from a junk yard.

Do you suggest the do-it-yourself option or to take it somewhere? How much do you think it will cost?

One more thing: I would like to fix the ceiling lining that is coming off in the back of the car. It just looks lousy. Any suggestions?
 
Advanced Auto Parts sells a headliner spray that comes in an orange can. It's like $10, but worth it. Spray that on and you're good to go.

As far as the handle is concerned, the parts store sells them for less than $20, generally. When I worked in shops, the labor was outrageous. Just pull the door panel off from the inside of the car to access the bolts that hold the exterior door handle on. Most cars have two or three screws for the door panel and then plastic pop-rivets holding them in. You just pry them out. If you have a manual window then you will have to pull the crank off with a piece of string or something. If it's a power window you just pry out the controller. Once the panel is off, most cars have plastic for noise reduction... pry that off and then you can usually access the exterior door handle bolts through a hole in the door.

* Another tip - Sometimes a screw for the door panel is hidden behind a little plastic piece behind the interior door handle. You just pop the plastic piece with a flat head screw driver to expose the screw/bolt. Not sure if it's hidden or even there on a '98 Corolla.
 
dealer ship or salvage yard can buy them and sure its not hard to do at home as for roof or headliner they make glue for that you can buy at any parts store

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how to replace cars door handles
how to replace headliner
how to repair head liner
 
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