As the title says, I need tips on how to remove a door handle without breaking it. I broke 3 handles already at the junkyard.

 

well for one thing don't gorilla-it , remove door panel, window has to be up,
leave the two nuts on the handle itself and use a pretty good size screw driver
and try to force the plastic ball end off of the adjustment rod. thats what you've been breaking i would guess. the handles are interchangable, driver/passanger.
i agree it can be a pain in duh butt, the openings to get to it are not large enough to get a hand it there. and the -SE's have the small light bulb/socket too. but it doesn't matter there all the same for a 1st gen. you'll get it !! i've got faith.

 

mark
thanks. I will try that and I agree...I need patience.

mel

 

No problem, man.

 

Man, these door handles are a PITA to take off. It took me one and a half hours to take one off without braking it

 

Lemme give you a quick tip. instead of BUYING a new handle just swap the drivers side handle for the passenger side one... They are reversable. Both will function and no money will be spent. But as said previously just take your time, slowly and gently while holding the "bar" that moved the latch actuator pull back while appying pressure to the "end of the bar that pokes through the plastic clip. To make it really easy take a pair of "dykes" (diagonal pliers) and cut/ break the plastic clip on one ear and the bar will come right off. buy a new one or just jerry rig the old one to work. Good luck