Larry L

It's the wife's car, so I can't mar ANYTHING. Lexus wants a couple hundred bucks in labor charges to replace the right rear door latch. (That's on top of the $124 I've already paid for the handle assembly.)

Gee, it can't be THAT hard -- can it?

Anybody got a few hints on how to remove the rear door panel without breaking a fastener, bending the panel or scratching up the armrest?

Thanks a bunch!

meZoom!

i'm going to go ahead and assume this is NOT the current generation (2002+)ES.

You'll have to carefully take out the window switch w/ a flathead or similar tool. Take out the wiring for the switch once you have it off. The door handle (pull thing) is next. Now you should see some screws....once they are gone, the door SHOULD come off w/ a lil tugging. pull UP to remove.

Baby Lex

yeah really....what year ES is it?

meZoom!

I looked at his profile AFTER i responded says 98 ES

NYC ES3

iTrader: (7)

You have to pop out the window and door control panel on the doors arm rest. ITS A PAIN IN THE A$$.....
that is the location of the "secret screw" holdin the damn thing in place that if you look at it you'll never figure how to take it off!!...
HOW do I know you ask???.....cause I broke my switch panel tryin to replace my factory speakers....so let me help you not to break yours.

You have to get a flat head and use electrical tape or sumthin to tap up the tip so you dont scratch the door handle....pry it under the front part of the switch panel ( front meaning the side facing the front of the car)
once under there push push the screwdriver in and toward the back slowly but keep the screw driver as parallel as possible to the armrest ...in other words dont push str8 down...instead push as str8 back as possible ...you'll then have to push upwards to pop it out cause there is a clip holding it in there and its tight!!! it'll make you think its screwed in but it aint! POP it up....once the clip pops out its seating pull the entire switch panel up and towards the front of the car simultaniously!

then you will see the screws holdin the panel to the door.....unscrew those and the rest are just clips around the doorpanel holding it to the rest of teh door.


I know it sounds like "WTF?!?!" but I tried to be as detailed as possible without any pics.........hop eit helps

Larry L

Ahh, sorry!

Ya really shouldn't have to look at the profile to find out it's a '98 -- but thanks for all the help, folks.

Did I mention it's the REAR right door panel door?

And that it's the EXTERIOR door handle assembly I need to replace?

Donno where my head is these days

NYC ES3

iTrader: (7)

I knew it was a 98 I have a 97 its the same thing.....front and back panels are put together the same way......