Xantia - Replacing External Door Handle - HELP!!

[turrican]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum so, please, be gentle lol !!

I really hope somebody can help me, here. I have an X reg (2000 model) Citroen Xantia & my rear, NS , external door handle snapped off a couple of weeks ago lol !!!! Well, I know I shouldn't laugh but it does amuse me whenever a new passenger tries to get into the car using that door!!!

I bought a new handle off eBay which is the right one. However, I can't for the life of me fathom out how to remove the existing one. I managed to take the door panel some of the way off & was greeted by another fabric panel which I think is just there for insulation. I took some of that off but there are no screws for the door handle beneath that.

Can somebody please tell me where the bolt is that attaches the door handle to the door? Do I need extra small hands to be able to fit inside the metal of the door to find it?

Many thanks
Dave.

[tommy309]

Hi pal its a long time since i changed one of those ona xantia so i cant tell ya exactly but, on most citroens the door handle is held on bt 2 pop rivets, which u drill through, and then that lets the old handle off the door hope thats of some help

[addo]

There is one only, 10mm blot holding the handle in place.

After removal of the door trim panel, carefully slice through the foam sealing strip with a razor blade - don't mar the paint. Make sure the glass is right up. Unplug the lock connector by depressing the wire retainer clip, and draw it off the door lock. You will now just be able to slide a hand in there and feel the blot. With a 10mm ratcheting or combination spanner, remove this and ease the handle outwards then off.

While you're there, clean the area thoroughly and apply a little polish - it make a for a smarter "shadow" where handle meets bodywork.

RITROR, noting that I like double sided trim tape cut into quarter inch wide strips for rebonding the door inner liner.

[citroenxm]

Its a damm pig of a job to remove because of the 3 levers for various jobs! One lever connects the Handle to the door lock OPEN part, the 2nd is from the door Key lock and the third is from the interior handle..

The most awkward one is the one that connects the door handle to the lock, you need to remove it from the lock to help remove the handle, then be sure when re fitting it that it sits high enough in the "Crock Teeth" catch so when you lift the external door handle it pushes the lever far enough down to release the door catch in the main lock unit..

Its all i bit complex and knowing which lock and lever etc is being reffered to isnt easy.

Im not sure why on earth its the most bloody complex setup Ive ever come across!!

Paul

[turrican]

Hi,

Wow, thanks for getting back to me so quickly, all of you!!! I really appreciate all your input. I sort of knew it was going to be a bugger of a job. My main issue is that, if I don't get it right first time, I'm stuffed because the other passenger door doesn't open at all!!!!

I'll give it a go this weekend & see. Again, thanks so much for your help. I'll let you know how I get on.

Wish me luck!!!

Dave.

[rmunns]

I had to do this while replacing the lock mechanism. It's difficult.