Occasionally you will find that the exterior door handle of your Chevrolet Prizm will crack or break, requiring that you replace the door handle. The door handles on these vehicles can break due to usage, being pulled on harder than needed, cracking due to extreme weather conditions or just from wearing out. You can replace the handle in less than an hour and save the time and expense of having someone else do the work for you.
Remove the screws on the interior armrest of the Chevrolet Prizm and take the armrest off the door.
Take the trim off the top interior of the door by prying it carefully with a screwdriver. Remove it, then unclip the trim cover and take it away from the door armrest section.
Find the screws that hold the door trim panel in place and remove them with a screwdriver, then locate the clip that holds the window regulator handle onto the door.
Remove the clip from around the window regulator handle with a cloth, and pull the handle straight off the door.
Slide a flat blade tool underneath the door accessory switch mounting plate and pull the plate away from the door trim.
Remove the door trim panel from the door frame, pulling it off the retaining clips that are holding it on the frame.
Find the screws that are holding the exterior door handle onto the door from the inside. Use a screwdriver to unfasten the handle, then detach the cover plate and lock mechanism from the old door handle, with a screwdriver.
Replace the old handle with a new one, reattaching the cover plate and locking mechanism to the new door handle, and secure the handle to the door with the screws, using a screwdriver.
Snap the door trim panel back onto the door, securing it with the retaining clips, then snap the door accessory switch mounting plate back into place.
Push the window regulator handle back into place and secure it with the retaining clip, then secure the trim panel with the screws that you removed.
Clip the trim cover back over the door armrest section of the Chevrolet Prizm, and then secure the trim over the top of the door panel and reattach the door armrest with the screws.
