How hard is it to change a lock actuator?

[wreckless123]

Has anyone changed a passanger door actuator on a 99 and below Tahoe? I assume it is a dealer item. Is it a pretty easy swap? I assume I just pull the door panel and everything is easily removed from there?

 

[luvmystook]

I have been searching on here and this is the best post I could find to describe my question, but the problem is there is not an answer. And no other thread that addresses this issue that I could find. I have the same question as to the difficulty level of replacing the actuator. Does anyone have any pics?

I also found a thread about door panel removal with several pics with good links and several picks with broken links. I expect getting that panel off is going to prove to be the most difficult part of the actuator replacement, but I'd like to hear from someone that has performed this task.

Thanks,
Jeff

Has anyone changed a passanger door actuator on a 99 and below Tahoe? I assume it is a dealer item. Is it a pretty easy swap? I assume I just pull the door panel and everything is easily removed from there?

 

[sasquatch094]

ive taken the door panel off and stuff and changed a key cylinder. ive never done an actautor before but doesnt look hard.. id get a lot of lighting to see in there and perhaps alot of patience tho.. lol..

 

[GMCYukalade]

i know that the door handle itself is pop-ribbited on.. don't know about the actuator.. - um, the door panel, is two bolts on the handle.. the door panel clips in with those little plastic clips, be pre-pared, for you may break some of them when everything is unclipped un-bolted.. and the window roll up pane, and door lock pane button panel thing is take out (it too pops out) - you can lift up on the panel, and it will come off.. - then behind it, you have a plastic screen, that is weather-stripped on

 

[treepete]

yeah, for the fastest removal and replacement of the doorpanel, pull it off without trying to save the plastic rivits. You can get them from any GM dealership for .70 cents or so. I found that once removed, they didnt 'grip' as well when reused. yeah, its 6-7$ a door to do it this way, but it'll be like it was never off, wont rattle, etc. start at the bottom outside corner, and work the perimeter up to the window on each side. then the panel should lift straight up as it disconnects at the 'sill' area.

 

[jlcvt]

I did my rear door a few years ago and it wasn't too hard. You may want to compare dealer prices to internet prices; it may save you some money. I found a price of $66.25 for a 99 right front door at Fred Beans Chevrolet.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/?siteid=214152

 

[2000 Z71 Tahoe]

i have not done mine yet but when i get back to Colorado i am planning on replacing it. i dont believe it will be to hard if its anything like a Toyota.

 

[skimo]

i have a 97 and did my drivers side. Once you get the door panel offf like mentioned in the posts earlier, you can see it. The bigger your hands the harder it is hahahahaha, Its pretty simple. Once you see it you can figure it out. I am not a Mechanic by all means but I did do it. Oh dont buy from the internet buy from some Auto Store where you can return it. I put one in (off Ebay) and it worked 4 days. Then it died. thought it was something else. SURELY it wasnt the Actuator.
I finally took it to a buddy who worked on it and behold it was the Actuator. It was bad. he put in a used one. I couldnt return the old/new one.....oh well..live and learn....

 

[lennon1269]

I just replaced my outside door handle on my 99 Tahoe (PITA)...my actuator was acutally riveted to the "door module". So, removal would require drilling the rivets out (on mine, at least).

 

[skimo]

Mine was held on by 2 nuts..it was just kind of cumbersome to get to. I got it done...not that bad tho.....

 

[radimus]

FWIW, here are the steps for a 97 Yukon from the Chilton manual:

Removal:
1. Raise the window completely.
2. Remove the door trim panel.
3. Using a suitable flat bladed tool, push on the top of the door lock rod clips and pivot the clip
away from the rod.
4. Disconnect the door handle to lock rod from the lock.
5. Disconnect the outside door handle to lock rod clip, using the same procedure as in Step 3.
6. Remove the inside door lock knob.
7. Remove the door to lock assembly screws, then tilt the lock assembly away from the
outside lock cylinder. Pull the lock assembly downward to make clearance for the inside
lock rod and remove the lock assembly from the door.

Installation:
8. Align the lock rod to the hole in the door panel. Tilt the lock assembly onto the outside lock
cylinder.
9. Install the door to lock assembly screws.
10. Install the inside door lock knob.
11. Install the outside door handle to lock rod onto the lock assembly.
12. Pivot the clip up and onto the lock rod.
13. Install the inside door handle to the lock rod onto the lock assembly.
14. Pivot the clip up and onto the lock rod.
15. Install the door trim panel.