Door latch, lock cylinder and handles — removal and installation
Door latch
1. Raise the window completely, then remove the door trim panel and water shield (see illustration), if applicable.
21.1 Peel the water shield from the door, being careful not to tear it
2. Detach the actuator rods from the lock cylinder (see illustration).
21.2 Remove the actuator rod
3. To gain access to the inside of the door and the door latch connections, remove the rear window guide track. If needed, remove the rear window regulator track by unbolting it and moving it out of the way (see illustrations).
21.3a Slide the felt track guide out of the door
21.3b Move the regulator track out of the way to gain access to the latch housing
4. Remove the three Tor-head mounting screws, then remove the latch from the door (see illustration). Disconnect the rods (if not done previously) and any electrical connectors. Detach the inside release lever cable, then separate the latch completely.
21.4 Door latch mounting fasteners
5. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.
Lock cylinder
6. Remove the door panel (see Door trim panels — removal and installation) and water shield.
7. Remove the door outside handle (see Step 11).
8. Remove the hidden screw that is now exposed with the outside handle removed. Reach inside the door and slip the outside latch assembly from its retainer. Then from the rear side of the latch assembly press down on the lock cylinder retainer and release the cylinder.
9. With the retainer released, pull the lock cylinder from the latch assembly (see illustration).
21.9 Outside latch assembly showing the door lock cylinder
10. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Outside handle
11. Open the appropriate door to gain access to the edge of the door.
12. Remove the plastic protective cap and remove the screw hidden underneath (see illustrations).
21.12a Pry the protective cap off.
21.12b … then remove the screw
13. Remove the end cap from the outside handle by prying it off (see illustration).
21.13 Remove the end cap
14. Lift the back section of the handle up slightly, then slide it rearward to disengage the front hook. Then remove the handle (see illustration).
21.14 Slide the handle forward to free the front section
15. Installation is the reverse of the removal.
Inside release handle
16. Remove the door trim panel (see Door trim panels — removal and installation).
17. Remove any electrical connections attached to the inside door handle assembly.
18. Five screws secure the inside release handle to the door panel. Remove the screws and remove the actuator rod. Remove the inside handle assembly.
19. Transfer any switches or components from the old inside release handle to the replacement piece.
20. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Latch strikers
21. To make minor door adjustments for latch alignment, the bolts on the latch striker (which is mounted opposite the latch) can be loosened and moved up, down, or left and right. The striker should be adjusted so that the latch aligns perfectly. Re-tighten the striker mounting bolts and check for proper latch operation.
Caution: The striker mounting plate in the body can fall if both mounting bolts are removed at the same time. If replacing the striker, make sure that one mounting bolt is in the mounting hole at all times.
Note: If, after adjusting the striker, the door still does not align up correctly or drags across the striker as it closes, the door is most likely sagging from the front hinges, the body alignment, or the door/a pillar is bent.
22. On access doors (extended-cab pickups), there are two latches and strikers for each door.
23. The striker for the upper latch is attached to the vehicle’s roof. To access it for removal or adjustment, remove the trim piece around it.
Note: A common problem with the door is sagging. Over time the hinges will wear down or just from the weight of the door it will cause the door to be out of alignment with the latch. Sometimes even adjusting the latch the door still will not close properly or line up very well. There is a tool that will relocate the door to a more aligned position. The tool is very expensive but can be found at most body shops.