'98 LS400 driver door handle linkage broken
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
'98 LS400 driver door handle linkage broken
Deep freeze last winter, and the driver's door handle went "click" when lifting it up. The handle no longer opens the door from the outside, but it does open from the inside. There is a connecting rod inside the door that feeds into the handle kinda like a thread into a needle but larger obviously. I removed the door panel easily enough, but wow is it ever cramped at this connection. It appeared to me that a clip or cap or wrap around is necessary to keep the rod in the handle, because it would just fall out of the handle again after attempting to open the door from the outside. I looked at schematics to order a "clip" but the schematics are pretty bad. I don't know what part to order. Any help is greatly appreciated, please. The rod falls into the window operational space causing the window to not roll down, so I simply copper wired the door rod out of the way. Basically, I use the key fob to roll the windows down, reach inside, and open the door from the inside.
Last edited by Michael88; 06-19-18 at 06:42 AM. Reason: spelling grammar
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Do you happen to have the part number / name for the clip? When I had the panel off, I saw the problem as the zoomed in bubble at the 1 o'clock position on your diagram ( the very top connection). There is no plastic clip, and I could not find the missing clip lying in the bottom pan of the door. It is very cramped at the bottom, so I imagine it is lying in there but not accessible. I prayed it was a metal clip when I tried a magnet to retrieve it, but failed.
Last edited by Michael88; 06-19-18 at 11:04 AM. Reason: spelling
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for the diagram. I wish it were clearer in regards to the clip I need. Taking this diagram to my local Toyota would not result in the part name and number. Hope someone reads this post that has replaced this part before, or knows first hand which part number it is on this diagram. I could guess and so could the guy at Toyota. After doing some random part number searches from the diagram, it appears to be named "lock rod snap" or something like that.
Last edited by Michael88; 06-25-18 at 10:44 AM. Reason: update
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Just want to share .... the Lexus clip is the "yellow" one that connects the rod to the outer door handle. Lexus sent me the blue and white ones which are too small. I bought a small couter hairpin and it clipped the rod right in place. Outside door handle fixed.
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02-19-12 08:06 AM