How do you remove the exterior handle of the sliding door on a 1988 Chevy Vandura 20?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if a "88 Vandura is the same as a 91 Chevy G20 but here goes anyway... Once you've removed the side sliding door interior handle and cover plate you will notice a square "rod" sticking through the middle of the door hardware. This "rod" is where the interior door handle was attached. It goes through a round piece that holds the door hardware together. The square "rod" is an extension of the exterior door handle. No matter how hard you try,you can not pull the exterior door handle off of its shaft. The only way to remove the handle is cut it off but you don't want to do that. It is possible to remove the exterior door handle and shaft from the hardware but it ain't easy....... Here's what you do..... The exterior door handle and hardware were assembled at the Chevy plant and not meant to come apart or break for that matter. That is why it is so difficult to remove the exterior handle and shaft....it was "pressed in" at the factory.... What you do is get a small "bearing puller" that will fit around the shaft and against the handle. Also get 2 6" pieces of redi rod that screw into the bearing puller. Get 2 nuts for each redi rod. You'll also need something to protect your door when you screw down on it with the redi rod. I used 2 pieces of 1/8" sheet metal about 8" long and 4" wide. Maybe something thin like cardboard or sheet rubber should be used between the sheet metal and door to protect the paint. Once you've got it set up just turn the bolts on the redi rod and it will slowly come out. You may want to give the rod a tap with a hammer once in a while..... When you get the unit out, you can file all sides down so it will go back in easier. You don't have to file much. Keep the corners square. Don't give up, you can do it.....