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

1. Remove the rear door inner trim panel. Refer to Rear Side Door Trim Panel Replacement .
2. Remove the rear door water deflector. Refer to Rear Side Door Water Deflector Replacement .



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

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

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

1. Insert the key into the rear 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 rear door outside and the inside handles in order to ensure the rear 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 rear door outside and inside handles in order to ensure the rear door will open.