How to Replace Exterior Door Handle 02-06 Nissan Altima 

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

why in the heck would someone downvote this? this is what all car DIY's need. Very precise! Thank you.

Great video! I am a 60 yr old woman and watched ur video and changed out both sides on the front....but not nearly as fast as u did. Thank you for saving me some $$$$$$$$.

I can Not understand how this got any bad votes! I've been wrenching on cars for almost 40 years and would have spent days trying to figure out the right order to take it apart without wrecking something. Great job guys!

THANK YOU!!! Followed the step by step procedure and swapped out the broken handle for a new one in about two hours saving myself about $200.00 in labor costs. Thanks for posting this!!

Thank you for this video. Just finished changing my driver's side door handle after watching this several times. For others reading these comments it would be good to provide some advice on getting the bottom of the door handle in place and dealing with the easily misplaced door actuator rod. Beyond that, great work and many thanks.

First off video is excellent and explain the the major points in simple straight forward way that anyone can follow. For that I THANK YOU very much A1 Auto For anyone else take this task on, hopefully my pains will help anyone else with this car line. I did this on an 02 Altima and everything started out smoothly. Taking everything apart was straight forward until I got to the rods and the bolts holding the door handle on. In the video, the rod held on by the pink clip is just sitting to top of the door latch and is not held in with a clip at the other end. This means if the gets pulled up too much you will need to take the door latch out to get the rod back in as you can't see where to put it the window rain guard in the way. The window rain guard is also in the way of getting the left bolt out of the door handle making it a little tricky to take out. In my case the bolt on the right of the door handle was rusted in place. I tried using a rust buster but luck. The door sheet metal that is used to bold the handle to the door was also very flimsy and was trying to twist on me when taking this bolt off. Being as careful as possible, I n awithout tearing the sheet metal in the door off. I proceeded in just torquing the head off the bolt. I'll have to tear back into the door in few days when the dealership opens up and I can get a new bolt. When putting everything back together, I hand to put the metal panel back in 4 times as the plastic clip on the bottom of the window that needs to sit in the window regulator kept falling off in the door. I hand to super 77 the plastic clip onto the window then the last time I put the panel on I lost the bolt in the door. Needless to say what should have taken 45 minutes at most took 4 hours because of the age of the car. And yes you have to take the window out because the metal panel in the door has the window regulator mounted to the inside. Hope this helps someone else

Never could have done it without your good process video and thanks for no annoying music.

1A Auto is Awesome! you guys saved my parents over $1000 and made me the son look like a hero. Least I can do is buy the parts from you to keep the videos coming. I did two major projects in less than a half a day. Thank you thank you

Great video saved me some time for sure .did skip taking the window out tho had enough room for the play and just taped it into spot so it didn’t slide down with the regulator once I unbolted.

Thanks, but after watching this video in full, I've come to the conclusion a broken door handle is far better than a broken window, and door that I wouldn't be able to put back!

Thank you for including reassembly!!!!! Repair videos never include that, and it is always harder to reassemble than disassemble!

nice video I was gonna do it,but so many things to remember to reconnect

I totally love you guys videos of how to do it yourself. Super easy to follow and I changed both my driver and passenger front handles with ease. Ok, well not that much ease, since it was the first time, but super duper easy. You guys rock!!! Thanks for the video. :) XX

Outstanding step by step video. The window wouldn’t go down for me so I had to disassemble more of the door using your regulator video which is also excellent. I also had to unscrew the latch to relocate the forward rod. So two major snafus to work through but it was satisfying to get it done. This job isn’t for the faint of heart, a little patience and perseverance goes a long way. Thanks again for the great video, no way would I have attempted this without

Great video. It's both helpful and proof that car makers don't know the meaning of the word "simple".

Good instructions. My 2005 Altima varied only slightly in the trim pieces that I needed to remove but that was minor. Took about 45 minutes.

Great video. Thanks! I... should have watched it before I took ALL of the bolts off, including the window regulator, then had to disassemble the entire door and put it all back together. Good times.

Perfect! 2nd door handle broke. Following these instructions made the effort much easier than last time.

Very helpful, the Altima service manual is the worse service manual I have ever owned. I have replaced 2 door handle in 1 week. The rear is very easy the drivers door is a pain but not too bad if you watch the video. The rods were a little bit of a problem but anyone with a little bit of mechanical aptitude can do it. These videos make the job so much easier.

Excellent tutorial. I now have less than zero confidence that I could do this on my own. I'm guessing the labor costs to have someone else do it for me would be horrendous, especially since 3 of my 4 exterior door handles are broken. I have purchased replacements, but now think I will just sell or donate my car. Thanks for dispelling my delusion.

Genius! Sell the parts and show instructional videos on how to install them. Great idea and I think it's going to work out very well for you! I made a dumb mistake on my replacement that doubled the time it took to do it, but happy that it's done and I saved a lot of money not paying someone else do it. Wow, those bars that clip to the handle are a son of a gun to get back on! So happy I left it for a day off, started early and now have it done. Thank you for your assistance and I hope my next needed repair will be on here too.

Thank you, your video was very insightful that I was able to change the drivers side latch on a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The sentra door has more open space so the window did not need to be removed, just raised. However, the rest was pretty spot on. Your video saved me plenty of money. Thanks again.

I just did this job in less than an hour; about 45 minutes. taking my time and using the right tools it was pretty painless. For anyone asking, YOU MUST TAKE THE WINDOW OUT, BUT IT'S EASY.

Im about to replace a set of door handles on my mom's 05 Altima. This video just saved me a headache. Going in with a plan. Thanks! 1AAuto...

I have had 3 of these pieces of crap freeze and break off when opening the door. Ridiculous. Thanks for the instructions.

Great video. Looks simple enough thanks to your efforts on the instructions. Thanks so much.

I watch you guys video ALL THE TIME!! You all are awesome. I haven't yet to experience this task but I'm sure it'll be much easier now that I've watched. Thanks for always helping me/us out.......

@ Sara G Yes is would be the same procedure. Here's a link to the new outer door handles that we sell on our website for your car if you need one. www.1aauto.com/1A/exterior-door-handles/Nissan/Altima/-/-/2002?VideoReply&RU-vid&ATony

Very easy too follow I have 3 door handles that broke on me this winter.

Thanks guys from Cancun Mexico you been so helpful, after see your video replace it was actually pretty easy to do..

Best instructional video for this door handle removal and replacement. Thank you. 👍🏽

I just did this job and left the window in place. I removed the 3 bolts that hold the window motor in the regulator assembly. I also removed the bolts for the window track on the regulator assembly and let the track rest inside the door when I pulled off regulator assembly. After you remove the 2 door handle screws, push the handle towards the front of the car, then you need to apply Force to pop out the handle from the bottom of the handle where there is a notch that holds it in the door. You also need to use force to install the new one.

Thanks for the video. The window removal trick is pretty awesome

Excellent video. You guys have saved me hundreds of dollars ❤

Thank you for these instructions. So helpful! Unfortunately, I ordered the door handle from another company before I found your video. In the future, I'll order my parts from you guys in appreciation of your efforts. I'll probably be happier with your products anyway. My new door handle was slightly malformed and there was a great deal of frustration and cursing involved in getting it to fit. However, it's done, and it works! Thanks again.

Thanks a lot for this video! This would have been an all-weekend job without it!

Best tutorial I've seen yet.

Great video! Thanks so much. Bought the part from 1Aauto, It fit perfectly. The hardest part was getting those long metal hooks off the door handle. The little plastic clips are hard to see. Oh yeah that and I had a moment of panic when I shut the door and had already disconnected all the cables and hooks. Was finally able to get the door unlatched and continue with the re-install. Thanks again for such a great video!

Thanks, to this video you have saved my boyfriend $250 keep the videos coming.

Thank you so much for this valuable information and tutorial! It helped out immensely.

This is definitely harder than it looks. He forgets the hardest part of reconnected the far back bar that goes to the key lock. And the bar that connects to the handle, if it slips out of position, it is a nightmare to get it back in such a tight spot. I had to break that grey bracket just get a sight on where my hand was going.

Thanks for the great video! It helped me easily change out my broken door handle in my 2002 Altima.

thank you for this video!! you made replacing my grandmother's door handle so much easier.

Gave it a thumbs up... Great video and informative, but damn that's a mission to change that damn handle... LOL I have both on the drivers side break within months, driver, and passenger. 05 Altima... You think they would use better parts versus a brittle plastic handle. Thanks 1A...

Awesome content! Saved me some money once again. Very good detail.

Great how to video but I’ll just take mine to the shop LOL

Worked perfectly! Thanks for the knowledge!

You information is wrong, I broken the hold down clip of the power switch thanks to you For the 2006 comes off from the opposite side

question? do you have to remove the window to replace the door handle

I have pulled the door handle out of the rear drivers side of 3 older Altimas of the same styling (2002,2003) and the same thing happens each time - the 10 mm bolts never come out easy. They always seem to be welded in to the nuts on the handle and the little weak flanges on the door. These cars are so old now they rust and are a bugger to get off. Several times the flanges would rust to the nuts and bolts and when you tried to loosen these bolts the flanges would twist with them. That is not good as they are what attaches the handles to the doors. The plastic posts (where the nuts are embedded in) also strip or break so you are left with a nut and bolt rusted to the flange. Not good. I would strongly recommend that people soak the 10 mm bolts in penetrating oil first and let them sit awhile before attempting to remove from the handles... otherwise you will twist the attachment flanges and then you are in need of a new way of attaching the handles to the door. As well, the rear door handles require you to remove the latching mechanism - which is held in by three large phillips screws. These screws are thread-locked in with the blue glue (mind blank - can't remember the name of the stuff ). You will need a really good phillips to break the seals to remove them otherwise they strip as well. This should be a relatively easy job but because of Nissan's poor weak design and the aging / brittleness of the old plastic... if you don't watch out you could screw up the door. I found this out by experience, but luckily at a wreckers yard on old crappy worthless doors.

Great video guys

thanks this saved me about $200!

very thorough, it made it very easy. Thank you

Will be doing 2 of my doors. All 4 have to ne done, but only got 2 handles at the moment. They make cars cheap. Plastic handles are no good in the Florida heat.

Great video but not as easy as they make it look but I got it done.

Thank you so much for this video. It is so helpful and useful.

Do I also have to re code the lock cylinder? I replaced my door handle but there is a plastic rivet/ring on the cable that was worn...so door still wont open. but video tutorial was priceless!!!

Great Video help me so much on my Nissan 2005. Thanks A Auto Parts! 😀

Use an impact drill with a socket attachment, it will cut your install time in half.

The only complaint I have is why did Nissan use such cheap plastic? Taking all this apart is more of a pain than replacing front struts!

My '06 is a little different, would i still have to remove the window like you did in this video?

Thank you for your very informative videos. I'll give you my parts business since your so helpful with the instructional vids.

Very informative. Don't know if I will actually be doing this, though. I may have to pay someone to do it. Door handle was broken by the guy who did my smog check . Ugh!!

Great video, thank you for saving me money.

Every thumb down is from someone mad this task is so tedious, I'm grateful to learn but yikes its alot

Ordered the door handle from you two years ago... Just installed tonight... Part wasn't a exact fit... We had to use a cutting wheel on a dremel tool to cut a slit in the top of the plastic to allow the handle to go up just a tad more so the bottom would click in.

this a very well explained video and helpful thanks alot

Well done!

Is passenger front door same process? Still have to take out window?

help!! changing the bolts on the inside of door and metal bent so bad we can’t get it back in place and risking it breaking 6:50 pls urgent what to do

This is a dumb question. But will this work for the passenger front side of the car?

Best videos! You guys are awesome! Thanks. A note for those with tinted windows, the tint might get damaged when pulling the window out. Any suggestions on keeping it intact, aside from being extremely careful, would be welcome. I had a complication (well, two): rod that goes into back of handle came off from the bottom. Took a while to get it back where it belonged, after blindly looking for the other connecting "site". Also, dropped a window rail bolt inside the door when reassembling. Found a replacement...I really didn't want to take the window and front metal plate off again but would've had to. Other than that, a broken nail :) and sore fingertips from pulling connectors and those stinkin' clips. :) Now, on to the next door.

Don’t pry from the front of the switch panel on the 05 or you will break it. It’s the rear on the 05.

When installing the new handle, the metal rod appears to need 1 mm more height to reach the green clip hole. I lifted the handle on the outside to get more room for the rod and secured it in the green clip. But, it is now stuck in an upright position. Any suggestions?

I would like the same video for the 2005 X-Trail please!!

Wedge the window with shims better than removing it.

Great video! Thanks for your assistance.

The poles that are clipped in, the closer one of them came out completely while I was trying to get the further one into the clip. How do I get it back where it needs to be?

I did everything like you said but my door doesn’t open from outside. It only opens from inside. I need suggestions please thank you.

i wish if you can make a video to show how remove a door hinge driver side. thank you

That was great!!

Hello, Thank you for making this tutorial. But I had a question regarding the replacement door handle. How do you get the door handle back in the car with the clip on the bottom of the door handle? I can get the top in, but then the bottom will not go in.

Need help. The front rod came out of the base and I can't see or feel how it goes back in because of the window track. Any ideas?

My window came off track, I'm assuming that the fastening bolts came out, or the fasteners themselves broke. Is it safe to remove the inner door panel before removing the window? I don't really have a choice, as the window is sitting off track at the bottom of the door, but is there anything special I should do? This video was extremely helpful, btw!

Thanks. Great video and very informative.

Great video really helped

The video is great but to make it easy on yourself don't take the window regulator apart from the interior panel..... Just remover the outer 10mm bolts....

I wish you showed how to get that rod in the back that you can barely see hooked back in. I've been trying for HOURS and it will NOT hook back into the clip. I can only get 3 fingers in there to even touch it and I cant get enough grip or finger strength for it to stay still and hook.

I have a 02 nissan altima and I just replace the window motor and it's working okay but when it rolls up it's to slow almost stop moving...and when rolls down it's perfect I tried to adjust the window regulator with no luck...please any advise will help and thank you for this videos helps a lot

Great Vid but do you know why you can't get your handle in your color? It's because car manufactures stop making handles in your color after a certain number of years. This being the case then why not make them white or clear so you can paint them better? It also is why you see cars with black handles that don't match and wonder why? Now you know you gain understanding.

Awesomeness!!

just was wonderin...if you roll your window up all the way after panel and black metal cover are removed could u get to the bolts or do u have to remove window glass?

wait up correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you have to align the window to the spot where the holes are at to take off the screws that hold the window because on the next step you end up take off the whole inner panel any way. right?

Do you have to remove the window?

If only the outer trim of the door handle is broken do I still need to use this whole procedure? And do I replace the entire handle or do I only replace the broken trim? The handle still works, just harder to open with no trim to hold on to

Thank you so much. Very helpful!

that definitely helped me, thank you so much!

Does this apply to 2004 nissan sentra

Thanks you guys