Expert: William Forster - 6/23/2007

Question
Hi,I am working on my 96 gmc sierra p/u,I need to change both outside door handles they are both cracked,I got 2 good ones from junkyard,I can get old ones out,however,how do I go about removing lock cylinders to transfer to new handles?can it be done?I have studied 1 for about an hour,and I cant figure it out.This is frustrating as I am a ASE certified tech with over 20years experience!Thank You in advance for your help.

Answer
Look at the bottom of the handle, directly under the lock cyl. There is a rectangular shaped hole. Take a small screwdriver, and depress the tab in the bottom of the hole. It may likely be filled with powdery corrosion, and is obscuring the tab. Once depressed, pull on the little arm on the lock cylinder, and with a little wiggling, it will come out. If it still stuck, carefully take a small socket that is about the same side as the hole on the face, and tap the socket with a hammer to drive the cylinder through. The tab will  still need depressed, sometimes it takes a couple light taps with a hammer, also, to clear the debris. Be sure to put it in the most rearward hole, there may be 2 holes. The front hole is where the tumblers are, and you don't want to drive a screwdriver into that! Bill