TexasPrado95
SILVER Star
Does anyone have any experience with removing the front exterior door handles without damage? Thank you for any help and advice!
The pivot rod from the door handle seems to be semi-permanently attached to the metal door lock actuator lever. Below are some pics, including the Haynes guide. The spot circled in red is where the handle's pivot rod connects to the actuator lever, but I can't get them separated. It doesn't seem like there is any retaining clip, but I'm also afraid to pull too hard and bend/break the actuator.
Pic 1: front left door handle from inside the door pocket. The actuator lever is much more firmly attached, with a snug, round mounting, compared to the plastic U-shaped lever of the rear door handless.
Pic 2: rear door handle - notice that the *plastic* lever on the rear handle is connected to the handle. It separated very easily since the lever has a U shape clip at the bottom (circled in green).
Pic 3+4: Haynes manual
I found one video of an Australian on youtube trying to explain it, but the actuator lever on his Prado on the front door also appears to be plastic and a bit flexible. Whereas mine is metal and won't budge. He was able to get the old handle much further out of the hole than I can on mine, then clipping back some of the plastic and "hopes that won't bite him later." He didn't include the install in the video, so we will never know. I also tried watching videos on the 3rd Gen 4runner, like this one, but the handle appears to be a different part all together.
The pivot rod from the door handle seems to be semi-permanently attached to the metal door lock actuator lever. Below are some pics, including the Haynes guide. The spot circled in red is where the handle's pivot rod connects to the actuator lever, but I can't get them separated. It doesn't seem like there is any retaining clip, but I'm also afraid to pull too hard and bend/break the actuator.
Pic 1: front left door handle from inside the door pocket. The actuator lever is much more firmly attached, with a snug, round mounting, compared to the plastic U-shaped lever of the rear door handless.
Pic 2: rear door handle - notice that the *plastic* lever on the rear handle is connected to the handle. It separated very easily since the lever has a U shape clip at the bottom (circled in green).
Pic 3+4: Haynes manual
I found one video of an Australian on youtube trying to explain it, but the actuator lever on his Prado on the front door also appears to be plastic and a bit flexible. Whereas mine is metal and won't budge. He was able to get the old handle much further out of the hole than I can on mine, then clipping back some of the plastic and "hopes that won't bite him later." He didn't include the install in the video, so we will never know. I also tried watching videos on the 3rd Gen 4runner, like this one, but the handle appears to be a different part all together.
