Important: The front door outside handle lock rods allow adjustment of the free play between the front door outside handle and the front door lock.

1. Remove the front door trim panel. Refer to Front Side Door Trim Panel Replacement .
2. Remove the front door water deflector. Refer to Front Side Door Water Deflector Replacement .



3. Use side cutters to cut off the front door outside handle rod-to-lock clip from the front door outside handle rod.
4. Discard the rod-to-lock clip.

1. Align a new front door outside handle rod-to-lock clip onto the front door lock rod.
2. Position the front door outside handle rod to the rod-to-clip eliminating any free play in the front door outside handle.
3. Apply pressure to the rod-to-lock clip until fully seated.
4. Install the front door water deflector as needed. Refer to Front Side Door Water Deflector Replacement .
5. Install the front door trim panel. Refer to Front Side Door Trim Panel Replacement .
6. Inspect the front door lock system for proper operation.

In order to properly evaluate the front door lock system after installing a replacement part, make the following operational checks:

1. Insert the key into the front door lock cylinder.
2. While holding the key in the neutral (pull-out) position, actuate the inside locking button to the fully locked position then back to the full unlocked position.

There must be no forced movement of the key out of the neutral position during the cycling.

3. The key must be removable when the inside locking button is held in both the fully locked and unlocked positions.
4. Turn the key to the fully locked position then return the key to the neutral (pull-out) position.

Actuate both the front door outside and the inside handles in order to ensure the front door will not open.

5. Turn the key to the fully unlocked position then return the key to the neutral (pull-out) position.

Actuate both the front door outside and inside handles in order to ensure the front door will open.