ZeroAlligator

DIY: 04 Civic Driver's Door Lock Removal

I searched around and was unable to find any good instructions on how to remove the door lock and handle from the driver's side door of my 2004 Honda Civic EX coupe. I'm swapping out the door after a collision and needed to remove the old door handle and install it into a new door.

After removing the inner door panel you'll have access to the inside of the door:

If you look in that hole where the arrow is pointing you'll see the inside of the lock and door handle.


Looking through that hole you'll see a small gap attached to the top of the lock (where the two arrows are pointing):


I purchased two hook tools at Harbor Freight (~$5) a while back for use in doing routine valve clearances on my motorcycle, I used these same tools in the next step:


You'll note the small broken piece of metal in the next picture (the little gap that the double arrows point to two photos above), I broke it in a previous attempt to remove the lock, yours won't be broken...

First I pushed hook #1 into the above gap, the straight tool forced the small gold clip outwards. Then I used #2 to reach under the gray metal and hook onto the clip. Once hooked I pulled straight out and removed the clip easily:


Once done the lock will slide right out (toward the interior of the door.) I put the clip back on the lock so that you can see where on the lock it clips to when it is installed:


Install is the reverse of removal, and installation of the clip will look something like this:


Hope this helps if you're having difficulties with this procedure. Once you know where and what needs to be removed the actual removal is pretty easy.

As a side note, in the above pictures with the lock still installed you'll notice that several pieces of the lock are missing (spring, white collar, inside rod holder, and upper C clip) I removed all these pieces trying to figure out how to remove the lock . In the final two pictures, everything has been reinstalled; it is not necessary for you to remove any of these pieces during this procedure.

-Mark

gqbindc

This post is awesome. The clip is visible but you can't see enough to figure out how to remove it without instructions. I'd only add that, rather than using hooks, you can loosen the clips by hand.

You simply reach down behind the bracket to the top of the lock cylinder. There, you'll be able to feel the two top ends of the clip. By pushing down on one end then the other from the top, you'll soon have the clip hanging down. You can then reach the lower part of the clip with tools.

Reinstalling the clip partially by hand also worked from me. I found that if I tried to reinstall with pliers I couldn't get the clip in the correct groove very easily. If you wiggle it up there by hand you can feel around until the clip is in the correct groove and then push the clip on part way. Then, you can use pliers to finish installing the clip.

CGaud

I really how I never have to do this. Seems like I always end up breaking some kind of plastic piece. I had enough trouble removing the EM2 rear seat paneling!

Props for taking initiative and creating a DIY

Broncolariat

Thanks Much! I googled this article just before the Locksmith was about to give up! He couldn't find the hidden clip until I found this. He still took a while to get it off, but all is well now.
Thanks Again

phibroke

i registered just to tell you this DIY has helped me greatly and i truly thank you

IMeanNoAssets

This DIY was awesome. I'm about to swap my doors for some clean one's and this was on the list. Thanks.

Red_Chaos1

I replaced the drivers side door handle on my 01 LX Coupe today. Did *not* work out like this DIY did.

That slot at the bottom of the lock? Blocked by that metal contraption that is behind the door handle. So I couldn't push anything into it to get the clip down to hook it. I started at 5:30 in the evening. I gave up shortly after 9pm and went to Autozone where the guys there proceeded to help me ghetto work it with a 2' long Phillips and some 11" needle nose pliers. They were out of the hooks. Managed to push the C clip down enough to grab it at the bottom with the pliers. Finished the job there in the parking lot about 15 minutes after they'd closed and the guys went home.

Upshot? I have a new non-broken door handle on the drivers side now, and I replaced the lock actuator while I was at it.
Downside? Original plan was to replace the door handle, and replace the actuators and speakers on both sides.

Honda really engineered **** to be a bitch and a half to fix on these cars didn't they.

LucasDrake

Very helpful information and images. I am not a mechanic guy but if I got issues about my locks and doors, I give our local locksmith a call.


car locksmith Denver

SupremeTaco

Great tutorial! My girlfriend's 2004 civic DX had the driver side lock seize up (manual locks) and the key was no longer able to turn. At first it would work if you fiddled with it enough but finally it completely jammed up. I followed your instructions (except I didn't have the handy hooks, I just used my fingers to push the pin down and then used a flat tip screwdriver as another member suggested), then further took apart the actual lock mechanism and found that one of the lock pins developed a spur on it causing it to jam!
photo of pin
You can see it in this photo of the pin held sideways. I simply removed the pin and put it all back together and it's good as new!
I followed the lock cylinder tutorial Also, her car has manual windows... tutorial helped to take off the handle so the door could be removed

JackImpact

How did you get the metal arms out of the clips without breaking them?

SupremeTaco

What clips are you talking about? Shoot, this feels so long ago now I hardly remember the details of doing it

raymondkatherin

Google it is the best way to find ways to remove the door lock or try hiring any local locksmith near for help.