How To Remove A VW Door Handle ~ Salvage Yard Tips

Removing a VW Door handle is one job I have seen done wrong a lot. I have even struggled to do this properly. That is until I learned the trick to NEVER mess it up again!
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~Tools you need to remove the handle
~Holding the handle properly
~The secret number of turns
~Remove the lock cylinder
~and more
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[@kristinsanford5355]

After 2 hours of doubt and frustration, I came back to the computer and found this video. It worked first time! Handle out, 12 turns, handle in, remove lock cover. YES! 2006 Jetta TDI rear drivers side door.

[@luisgpr1]

Was wondering if this works on the MK5, thanks

[@eldiabloblanco3167]

Did we just become best friends!! In all seriousness, I would be lost without this man. I've saved so much money working on my VW. Love ya Broski 😁✌

[@Naybothemighty]

Quite possibly the most informative How To I've ever seen. Cheers!!

[@stevegano4513]

Thanks for posting this video , it really helped.I have been fighting this lock on a 03 Jetta for a while.Watched your post and had it out in no time.A million thank you's

[@Alibaba-se6lv]

Used this video previously for a caddy I was repairing and it worked perfectly, being some time ago I just watched it again to refresh as currently repairing a polo door..!! Needless to say I give it a 👍

[@Hominid00inthemirrow]

I am indebted to you. This instruction video of your's was perfect. My door was sometimes really difficult to open because the wire that the little clip that goes into the door handle to release the door, has been stretched through use, so I moved clip on the end, out a couple of notches on the door handle, and now it is working perfectly. I could never have got access to it without your instructions. If you ever find yourself in county Tyrone Northern Ireland, I'll be glad to buy you a pint. Thanks man.

[@_MDAgriVideos_]

Another Tyrone man watching the video here🙋‍♂️😅

[@haroldfaust7928]

Great quick fix and the 'pulling the handle out and counting the turns'. Perfecto... Much appreciated.

[@Montanagreenmachine]

Charles, I love your videos. I bet most body shops don’t know this trick. You the man.

[@jpdore]

So great! Worked like a charm to remove the lock that was seized solid from disuse. Thanks!

[@sollykhan2385]

Another awesome tip, thank you for posting this video, Charles, you've certainly got an 'HANDLE' on this 🙂

[@willwoodward8865]

Amazing video! I was able to relocate the handle cable this way and thus fix my non-opening drivers door!... Thanks so much!

[@scunnerdarkly4929]

Top tip, the release mechanism can become seized. Mine had and wouldn’t release. A couple of firm taps with a soft-headed mallet directly on the lock (or blank in my case as it was a rear handle) freed the rotating steel section allowing it to release the lock/blank.

[@user-ut2rr6yw8i]

Fantastic Charles! 2016 MK7 GTI I only used -5 turns- for recessed screw. Also recessed screw was T15 while black screw on right was T20. You are a national treasure for the family of VW owners. ;>)

[@jakegwilliam]

Useful for SEAT's and Skoda's too! Done it wrong on my friends car, ended up dropping the screw and removing the entire door card just to reinstall it!

[@mortont1210]

I used the same procedure this morning to remove the right rear passenger door handle. Thanks Charles.

[@robdekort1245]

My lock was broken. Now i changed it for a new one thanks to your video. 12 turns 👌 Tank you from Holland

[@HumbleMechanic]

Awesome

[@SE45CX]

Hi Charles, Great we have folks like you who explain this really well. It is my opinion that along with all the engineering effort from VW clear instruction like this should be provided from the engineering department to you. But I would bet VW and other brands lack to provide this in a clear way.

[@HumbleMechanic]

+SE45CX thanks for the kind words. I wish our repair manual was simpler too. But sometimes that's just not the case

[@sollykhan2385]

@@HumbleMechanic i myself worked very briefly for all the Main Dealerships( commonly referred to as The Main Stealers) and i remember a printed document on the workshop side for all the staff to abide by; Any disseminating advice, tips,suggestions,or Hacks to customers will result in instant dismissal to the person who by misguided loyalty takes it upon himself to better acquaint or pirate work from official capacity'. 🤔😵‍💫

[@meloche1syndrome]

ive done that! i ordered a new fob online, my old transmitter stopped working, so i moved the keyblade and immobilizer over to the new fob. then used the door lock pull to allow the key to be in the ignition so i could program the transmitter. totally have a working fob now.

[@marty1080]

Perfect instructions. Saved a trip to the garage!

[@briansmobile1]

Holy crap that's a useful video! VW's are easy if you know the trick- in this case it's the #12. and T20. Thanks Charles!

[@HumbleMechanic]

My pleasure my friend! Thank you for taking the time to watch. I appreciate ya!

[@fastplant44]

Thanks for this video. I was able to pull the lock and that allowed me to tighten the handle cable so now my door opens again.

[@patthesoundguy]

No replacement for experience!Great video! Thank You

[@Maxik_Bartos]

Thank you for the example of how to remove the exterior door handle on a VW. I am solving how to replace the outside door handle on a Passat B5 1.9 TDI and your video helped me a lot. Thank you for the sample. I subscribe to the channel.

[@oliverstaf1996]

Worked like a charm on a Passat from 2000. Thank you for your video.

[@joshuareyes7442]

Charles can you do a video on what tools a beginner tech should buy first? Like for people fresh out of tech school or people trying to get their foot in the door and don't have much money yet.

[@paulwoodward7954]

Nice to see someone who has made a video of this done properly. Seen so many people not holding the handle out.... waiting for the retaing ring to drop in the door when it gets shut lol.😅

[@HumbleMechanic]

Oh man I have done that. Lol

[@xenniealsentinel1800]

last guy did that, how do I fix, also I can't find the handle. is it really pop riveted in? Dont have a rivet gun that big lul

[@seannaesseannaes]

Thanks! I am removing plenty of stuff from the car to paint it, this helped!

[@MrJohnEco]

Thanks, this was very helpful! 🙂 👍

[@lafamilia9328]

This is the MOST informative and simplistic video ever. Helped a sh$t load. Thx a million for posting.

[@lafamilia9328]

This is the MOST informative and simplistic video ever. Helped a sh$t load. Thx a million for posting 👍👍👍👍

[@universalstarman2012]

Love this... as I am having my door handles off for a full respray... have you a video putting the handles back ??

[@scottb6419]

Excellent video. Used this for an Audi TT and worked perfectly

[@aquarian12]

Thanks mate...your formula worked and I have fix the door problem...Appriciated (Y)

[@djlosmi]

Awesome! Now I can DIY paint them as I have always wanted! Thanks man! :)

[@atjones5250]

Great video. Thank you. Saved me before stripping the entire door!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@PanamaSticks]

Does the T20 driver have to remain there to keep the screw from falling into the door frame? How do you recover the cable you just pushed in? ( I need to remove rust from yhe handle well, paint, then reassemble.

[@LastHumansGarage]

that was always a nightmare when i was trying to get the door handle spring to hold it tight against the door. can't remember my exact issue, it was years ago. i think i was taking the outer skins off my MK5 doors to do extensive dynamating.

[@Escape.Idiocracy]

Dude! Thank you for this video!! Worked on my mk 6.5 sportwagen too - 12 turns on the money!

[@j.e.z.6071]

Thx for the explanation. It helps me a lot.

[@seagreenyweeny]

Awesome. Before I do this any tips for locating the cable back in the door handle, or is that quite straighforward? The way it seems to snap back inside the door makes me nervous.

[@hg-cv8vk]

Works also on my VW Polo in Holland!!!! Thank you SO MUCH !!! Gr. Hans

[@johncoldwell340]

Fucked last job of the day with only 15mins left of the day, soon as I see my main man Charles had made a video i felt relieved 😀 redone whole job in 10mins with some decent advice top man, no over time today happy days🤣

[@HumbleMechanic]

Time for a brew!

[@johncoldwell340]

@@HumbleMechanicYunno mate i did as well, legend mate cheers👍

[@dilunian]

Thank you so much for you simple instruction.. worked like a charm!

[@nydrell1969]

Bro,I'm only watching ur vdo's from now on,so easy

[@SkiDuneTech]

Time saver. Thanks very much worked perfect

[@ripcool85]

Thank you. Great guide.

[@dhirrenmeghrajh8293]

Thanks Charles, now I can get all four door handles painted and looking fresh again :-)

[@73amx63]

How were you able to open and close the doors with the handles off? Did you use some wire?

[@dhirrenmeghrajh8293]

@@73amx63 i ended up sending my car to a panelbeater for a blowover .... sometimes its just easier to pay a professional to get the job done. Not sure how they did it as i didnt ask

[@kimj3353]

Excellent. Thank you 👍🏼

[@p5aul789]

Thanks, very helpful. How do you reattach the cable back to the handle?

[@mortont1210]

Great Video Charles. Is their a secret to changing the rear door lock actuator on a 2009 VW CC. Thanks Charles

[@balangovender6012]

thanks for sharing video, very informative and well presented. well done

[@rbemuscle6058]

Awesome man! That little clip thing on the inside of the handle with the ridges, if you put it back in slightly the wrong location, I found my door dosent open properly. Do I need to move the clip closer out, or more inwards towards the door to give the correct tension to release the door. Great video. Cheers!

[@patrickjohansson3076]

Im gonna change mine key hole thingy, soo well ty and im gonna give feedback when im done

[@jamesball8966]

Simples great video mate 😁

[@rawheadrex]

Excellent video , I've got one coming in today to paint both doors .

[@HumbleMechanic]

Nice!!!

[@ybiqS]

Thank you for this video! Saved me a bunch of money! Subscribed!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Awesome

[@2728Alexis]

Great video, you can definitely screw things up if you fail to hold the door handle open whilst unscrewing. But I would caution against the 12 turns - not all the mechanisms are identical. Some are metal and some are plastic and they have slightly different spring setups. In my experience EIGHT turns is the one to stop on. If it still doesn't release, try nine then ten.

[@karelpremyslovsky4849]

huge thanks!!! this video save me lot of work and time!! :)

[@rasmusiwersen1729]

Great video! Only thing is, what about assembly of the lock house again? My door handle does the thing you say, where it feels a bit weird. But i haven't been succesfull in reinstalling the cylinder. Best

[@HumbleMechanic]

In 2018 I will be working with PAP on another series of videos taking into account more of the assembly and rebuild of parts.

[@FlorinAciobanitei]

Great video, thanks!

[@rodcosta2345]

Hey Charles, any chance you'd know how to take the handle out of a 2013 Beetle? I really only need to remove the door lock cylinder to transplant it to a nw door. Thanks!

[@skotsephrenia1]

Hey..... Would you please make a video on how to put it back nice and perfect... Coz the lock ring inside the door keeps popping out off the groove whenever am tighening it.. Thank you..

[@mohamedalsayaghi]

Amazing.... my car is Touareg with keyless.. can I do the same and to check the click of it ?

[@jarredfanning6952]

Okay so tonight my outside driver Side did not wanna open but will from the inside I believe the cable got knocked out. Could this way of removing the door handle work to reattach the cable with out taking the door apart?

[@ronaldsvarna2854]

This is a very usefull video ,but how can i fix a door handle that doesnt go back in place it just stays outside and i have to close the handle manually by myself to close the door! any tips on how to fix it?

[@giorgostexnikos6976]

amazing video.exelent analysis

[@stevenharpervw]

Thank you so much, really helped me fix my broke door 👍👍👍

[@HumbleMechanic]

Awesome. Glad to help

[@stevenharpervw]

I’ve been following your for years. My Passat door handle stopped working. Now fixed thanks to your video . I’m taking on a corrado 1989 project and putting a Vr6 12v aaa into it. Trying to spend the least amount of money. What does the engine require that would be done while engine is out

[@HumbleMechanic]

Do the chains for sure! Most anything else can be done in the car. I’d also do a solid inspection to be sure it’s good

[@stevenharpervw]

Will do, I enjoy your videos. Keep making them. Please check out my videos too, on my corrado 2.0 16v

[@Shellshock69]

worked on my mk 4 vw 2002 golf - thanks

[@frankfluent]

Hey Charles is this the same for a mk6 with the kessy system? Thanks in advance!

[@mohamedalsayaghi]

Dear Eng. Do you have a video for door handle with Keyless click? My car have it and I'm afraid to disconnect the wire

[@BeaudoinMotorsports]

thank you so much!!

[@ovi-prinde-peste]

Multumesc!!de ajutor!!👏

[@CR15PY1]

Hello after watching this video a couple months ago, and taking off my lock and string like 15 times. But I wanted to know why it’s necessary to keep the handle pulled while loosening the screw? Does the handle need to be pulled back while putting the door cable back on?

[@atrguide8724]

Good job on the video, Thank you

[@siemasz007]

You deserved a beer for advice !

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks

[@WoesteWilly]

Nice vid, now i would like to see how to put the doorhandle back. 😊

[@jsw207]

Brilliant!

[@vn3946]

Thank you very much !

[@youtubeleavemealone]

I wish that I had watched this one first. I didn't count 12 turns. I ended up dropping some sort of retaining clip down inside the door after pulling out the cylinder out. Now I probably need to take the whole door apart to get the dropped part back. Then I need to find a lock cylinder repair kit. You did a great job. I didn't.

[@peterg3836]

Like you, my lock would not remain within the unit. So I removed the door panel, window and the door lock actuator. Then I could remove the door handle backing plate from within the cavity of the door. The problem is the locking ring which rotates as you adjust the T20 screw. You caused the locking ring to fall out of the backing plate. You need to remove the backing plate and either replace the unit or refit the locking ring. NOT really difficult but requires multiple hours.

[@tof3275]

Hi Charles, I have an Audi A3 1.9Tdi 8P1 I am yet again changing my "driver's door lock" (U.K right-hand side) number two the present one has developed an earth fault. When I fitted number two I had such a pain in the butt lining up the orange/black clip do you have any tips that will smooth the installation of the door lock mechanism number ? Charles just while I have your attention; While I was changing number two door lock I repaired/changed the cabling for the door to pillar interior I now ned to change it again but I have very little length in which to repair, any ideas as to how I can gain more length. Cheers Tony

[@davidscheibe6530]

I’m embarrassed to as, but I turned the retainer bolt on the cylinder too many times, and that little clip fell down into the door. I’ve retrieved it - any tips on how to put it back in place?

[@Steve-video452]

I love experience, beats luck almost overtime.

[@thaDamester101]

Is the door locking cylinder cross compatible with other models of the same gen??

[@TheVideoZombie]

omg thank you!

[@shaune6293]

Does this same method work to remove a vw eos doorhandle as well?

[@brooksHARRY]

Was the screw tight when you started loosening it by 12 turns?

[@tenzin044]

Hi there! wow it's 7 years old video, but-I replace window mechanism in passenger doors. After all done and worked(!) I found out the part of door handle(short one by the handle, Without long pin because is passenger side) doesn't lock. I probably opened to many times. feel the screw, when turning screwdriver but after couple of times tried, still don't lock. What would you suggest? Tom

[@truckerjam7228]

Hey I wanted to ask you I replaced a little rubber piece on my power window on my vw passat and now the door won't open from the inside what could be wrong I know I didn't brake anything on it

[@stephanecrepeau8889]

Very Well Explained Video 2 👍🏻😉

[@janiszelgalvis6804]

Cool! Thanks!!🎉

[@tk4270]

Working on a my Golf mk5 front passenger door. T20 bolt is loose and cable is out. The keyhole nub piece is out too. But just cannot remove handle. I have tried sliding and pushing both ways. Any more force would break something so i have left it. I have found that even after retightening the the T20 bolt, the nub piece can still come out if i pull on it. The handle itself is the only thing preventing it falling out. So something is clearly not right but i followed the instructions in the video exactly. It looks so easy in the video but my handle will not come out.

[@ZippyPenguinTribute]

Great vid however my door wont open from the outside help! Ford Galaxy mk2 car is.

[@ORAIB]

Is it same easy to install new door lock??

[@xoxpowah3115]

Big like!

[@monawoods707]

Hi can you do the same way for a 2008 kia amanti?

[@jldocherty]

Hey -Great video, just wish I'd found it before I spent all day removing the door skin to change a faulty Lock Module on the rear door of my Mk5 Golf - will be sure to follow your advice for the other side! One question if I may - I didn't follow your 12 turn rule (because I hadn't seen the video) and now I have no idea how to get the lock secure in its place again. I can sit it in its right place but whichever way I turn the screw (and I've tried to max in both directions) it doesnt seem to secure the lock (lock cover for rear door). Any advice? Cheers!

[@winzeee]

Exactly same issue I'm facing.. how did you fix it back..

[@jldocherty]

@@winzeee sorry it's so long I've forgotten 🤔

[@peterg3836]

Like you, my lock would not remain within the unit. So I removed the door panel, window and the door lock actuator. Then I could remove the door handle backing plate from within the cavity of the door. The problem is the locking ring which rotates as you adjust the T20 screw. Some require grease or have skipped the notch on the rotating locking ring. NOT really difficult but requires multiple hours

[@ScabbyCrab]

Anyone know where I can get one of those screws? I can't find the specs for it anywhere, mine fell into the door.

[@lawrencetrybus3441]

Thank you for this video. I would have broken something without it

[@abdulsacoorkaratela4957]

Is putting back the handle and the lock the reverse process?

[@Cudiagraphics]

Does that cable fall into the door when you unclip it? Or does it stay relatively in place so you don’t gotta take the door panel off and find it. Thanks

[@sverrirdaiorarinsson5671]

It will stay in place. I was adjusting the wire on all handles on my Passat today.