Outside door handle

2008 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
120,000 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
STEVE PARKER BENNETT JR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The door handle on the front passenger door of my truck will not open the door. I locked the ignition keys to the truck inside the vehicle last week. The local fire department used an inflation device to pry the door open to use an extension device to pull the manual lock piece up to unlock the door. Now the outside door handle will not engage to open the door. The inside door handle will open the door, but, not the outside handle. How do I correct this myself without taking the vehicle to the local Chevrolet dealership? Is there a YouTube video to show me? Thank you for your help and assistance!
Oct 14, 2018 at 4:52 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If the exterior handle is not working, either the linkage has come apart or the handle itself has broken inside the door.

You will need to remove the inside door trim panel. Here is a link that shows in general how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/door-panel-removal

Next, I have attached four pictures. The first one are the directions specific to your vehicle for removing the panel. The second shows an exploded view of the panel. Pictures 3 and 4 discuss replacing the handle. Before you replace the handle, make sure the linkage is not the problem. The long vertical rod in picture 4 is the primary component in this linkage. It is what attaches to the handle and the latch. If it is bent or disconnected, it will need repaired.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
Images (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Oct 14, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Avatar
STEVE PARKER BENNETT JR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you. I will see what I can do. Much appreciated !
Oct 14, 2018 at 7:28 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Happy to help. Let me know if you run into trouble or have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
Oct 14, 2018 at 8:04 PM