I need to replace the outer drivers side door handle on a 1995 Lexus LS400. Does anyone have a guide, service manual link, or tutorial I can use to learn how to do this?

 

take off the door panel with the window rolled all the way up, it should be pretty self-explanatory from there on out

 

How do you take the door panel off?

 

you have to pop out the power window switch first. than pull out the cover for the door handle that opens your door. there will be 4 screws at the bottom of the door. one under the arm rest. and one last at the door vent. if you need pictures just pm me

 

I have a couple tutorials on this. They're for a first gen but the concepts are almost the same: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/

 

For my 1995 Lexus LS400, there is not an easy hole in the metal body of the door behind the outer door handle like on the one in your tutorial (STEP 1):

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/fdoorhandle.html

There is a much smaller hole and plastic in it that I cannot remove. If I can remove this white/clear plastic, that has a rod going through it for the inner door handle, I can remove the two screws in your STEP 1. Anyone know how to get to those screws or remove this plastic?

 

Mine had clear plastic too, just pull it off so you can see what you have to work with. If your 95 doesn't have the top access hole the first gens do your job is going to be more difficult. Maybe post a pic showing what you have.

 

Did anyone ever find a resolution for 1995-1997 LS400's? I have a friend with a 1997 LS400 that needs me to replace his outer door handle but I'm wondering about the issue dejacky experienced.

 

i can do a write up or something this weekend. ive taken apart my door many times. even replaced a few windows so im fimiliar with it

 

Thank you very much. Do you think you'd be able to have it done before Sunday? If not, I can do it some other time, but I was hoping to be able to do it on Sunday while there is light outside.

 

yes i will be pulling apart my door either thursday or friday. :] so no worries hehe

 

get it done, post it up in tut. format and il throw it into the faq

 

The most difficult part of the removal is the plastic part of the handle that pushes down on the internal lever. I had a lot of trouble with this on a 93-94, it may be a bit easier on the 95+.

Just be careful and don't scratch your paint!

Chris

 

Hi, working to replace the outside driver handle on my 1996 LS 400. Pulled the door panel off and getting the old handle off is proving to be very difficult and not intuitive at all. Any help would be wonderful.

Thank you
Liz

 

find a copy of the service manual, you WILL break something otherwise, those little clips on the rods and the lock itself are both a pain to get on/off and not cheap to replace.