Toyota Repair: 1993 Toyota Corolla Inside Door Handle, phillips screw, needlenose pliers

Question
CAR: 1993 Toyota Corolla, 4 door about 183,000 miles

The door handles on both front sides are broken from the inside. On the drivers side the plastic cracked in half and on the passenger's side, the handle is in place, but doesn't open the door.

From the dealer I got a full replacement handle for the front driver's side, and a small plastic piece that they said is the most common piece to break off for the passengers side.

Can you help me by telling me 1. what tools will I need to have for this repair and 2. steps for repairing 3. Is this a repair that someone relatively inexperienced could make?

I can't afford to have the dealer to do this repair(costs 120 for labor and 70 for both handles!). Is it possible to take these parts to a corner mechanic (like PepBoys) and ask them to do it?

Thanks so much -- by the way -- nice last name!!
Deb


Answer
Thank you, the handles are relatively easy to replace, there is a small phillips screw in the door handle, after removing it the control link from the lock has to be disconnected with a pair of needlenose pliers, I think the local pep boys should be able to "handle" this.