Thank you to Heaterswa, and everyone else who input info about this.
I changed out my handle this weekend, wasn't too difficult. $67.50 for the handle assembly at Whittier Toyota (but I used a 10% off coupon to get this price).
The main problem I had was, the first time I put everything back together I didn't clean out the latch assembly good enough and the door wouldn't open even with the new handle. I had to take everything apart again, remove the latch assembly, and really clean it out well.
We have gone off-road quite a bit and a lot of dirt/dust gets built up inside the rear door, especially in the latch. This made the latch operate less & less free over time, with the dirt buildup.
I used about a whole can of engine cleaner to wash out the latch. Then used a Marine PTFE lubricant to coat all the parts. Then used white lithium grease to lube all the metal moving-parts.
All works fine now, wife even complemented on smooth operation.
Whole process took about 4 1/2 hours. Along with changing the serpentine belt myself, saved $300 versus dealer labor price.
I replaced mine about a month ago.I purchased the handle on ebay for around $45 shipped,got it in 2 days from California to Illinois.The sellers ID is garrickwholesale760,he also sells other new Toyota parts.
Thanks for the great instructions. The only thing I did different was to repair the broken handle instead of buy a replacement. I used super glue and a screw to repair the break in the plastic arm. It is about a week and counting, so who knows how long it will last. I am just too cheap sometimes.
Repair went very smooth. An additional tip: to make it easy to remove the two 10mm nuts which hold the license plate assembly, remove two round ~1" grommets and you'll have easy access to the nuts. Otherwise, it's a bear to release 'em.
Thank you for this post. I ordered my part online for about $50 (it was $75 at dealer counter) and followed the instructions. The only thing different would be a removing one more nut that attaches the door lock to the main door frame & the license plate assembly. You can't remove the assembly without removing this 10mm nut.
You may also want to use some type of grease (I used white lithium) on both ends of the cable as this made the lever much easier to open...so hopefully this is the last time I do this. There is a black cover over the latch of the door that has to be removed to propery grease this connection. It pops off with a little prying from the outside of the vehicle side.
Also, make sure you have all the broken parts. Upon final assembly, I closed the tailgate and heard the rattle of a broken piece of plastic from the old handle. Luckily, I only had to remove the small access panel again to fish it out!!
I have a 02 Sequioa where the rear hatch door does not latch when the door is in the closed position. Have had to use a bungee cord to keep it closed. Would the broken part be the handle or the latch assembly?
I finished my rear latch handle replacement last night. The tab on the handle that pushes the mechanism down to unlatch broke on mine. The wife called Saturday afternoon that the rear door wouldn't open. I started taking it apart Sunday afternoon and picked up the handle yesterday from a local Toyota dealer, he charged me $63 at the counter. Sounds like it would be $70 part if the service dept was doing the job.
First, take off the license plate.
Since the hatch wouldn't open, I started from the inside and took down the top trim piece. After that the two side pieces come down, then the main trim piece which covers the bulk of the door comes out. These are all popped in with the white tabs.
There are 3 access hole covers to pop out (don't forget to install them back in when done) and through the left hole you can see the mechanism to unlatch, press it down with a screwdriver and open the door. If anytime you close the door you will have to do this to unlatch, up until you disconnect the cable and pull out the handle, then you have to locate the cable and pull that directly.
Behind the large trim piece you will find a metal access cover, remove the 7 or 8 10mm bolts holding that on and pop the 3 white tabs and let it hang off to the side. Disconnect the cable from the handle assembly by reaching in from the right hand side and popping of the cable from the handle assembly.
From the left and right access holes, locate the two 10mm nuts which hold the license plate assembly to the door and remove them. Then there are 4 plastic tabs that come in from the outside that hold the license plate assembly on in each corner, try and locate those and using some pliers squeeze them together and push it through. Next locate the license plate lamps wire connector and release that from the left side, it’s the simple push in and pull out square white connector.
After these are out, put back in 1 or 2 bolts into the large metal access cover so the hatch can be lowered (don’t close it).
Here is where I had fun, begin to pop out the assembly that it was bolted to. I ended up breaking 3 of the 4 plastic tabs in each corner because I did not use pliers from the other side to pull them out, however it remained somewhat useable (hindsight 20/20).
Now the license plate assembly can be taken to a bench to replace the handle assembly (Toyota doesn't sell just the handle, it is a small assembly). Two screws out and the assembly is replaced.
Before pressing the license plate assembly back onto the truck, make certain all the plastic tabs are in the assembly and not in the truck. Reverse the process to re-install.
-Bryan
Bryan, Thanks for your detailed info on this fix. It appears to be quite common as well as quite expensive to have the dealer repair. I was quoted $400.00. I finished the repair in about an hour and a half. I did want to mention that I was able to open the rear latch from the outside once I saw the new part and how it worked. I used an allen wrench supplied by my garbage disposal company that had a 45" angle and it popped the rear latch. I also found not 2 but 3 10mm bolts that hold on the frame assembly. 2 are accessible by pulling 2 rubber plugs and using a long extension. The last one holds the key lock mechanism. I was also able to find the part from an auto parts supplier in Texas for $45.00 made of metal not plastic. They were on ebay. Thanks again for the info you saved me over $ 300.00 - Mark
i am an idot....i disconnected the white connector on the drivers side...i could not get the door to unlock... (1 hour later)..i figured out that the power lock was the problem.....and like magic the door opens
Not sure if anyone saw or posted this yet but check out ebay Item number: 220440237742
2001-2007 Sequoia Tailgate Handle
Re-Engineered with Metal !!! Corrects Plastic design !
I had the dealer replace my plastic one about a year ago (before I joined here), but if someone wants to try it out and give some feedback I'm sure the forum will thank you!
Has anyone bought and installed the metal latch off of ebay?
my latch broke as we started our trip to California we had a full week of rolling down the rear window to get things which on one day even killed our battery and we needed a jump. ebay has an all metal one for $45 and free shipping ii is quite a deal, I just want to make sure it works correctly. Also are ther any video's posted of how to do the install?
The latch broke last year while my husband was on a job, 1600 miles from home. He had to take it to a dealership to get it repaired so he could get to his tools and work. $450.
It happened again. I googled the repair and found you guys. We bought the part from ebay with the metal thing for $45 (fortworthautoaccessories). We needed it right away and because we live less than 50 miles away, the guy let us drive down and pick it up last night.
My husband, with a little assistance from me, installed it in about 2 hours. Understand this... my husband is NOT a mechanic and sometimes gets thrown changing a tire (he's a really great guy, but mechanically inclined, he is NOT!)
My latch broke last year, I ordered the metal replacement, but while waiting for the replacement, I Drilled out the shaft of the lever of the handle that actuates the the internal mechanism. I threaded the plastic shaft put in a cut off 1" screw, and put some epoxy in it. It's still working! I'll get around to putting in the metal one when this fails. I think this is a poor design lots of diagonal stress on a small molded part. The interior door handles have cracked too. I wish someone would come up with a metal replacement for them.
Thanks HEATERSWA for the notes without them I would have gone to the dealer. I completed mine yesterday. I didn't have to remove the assembly or have to unplug any electrical connectors. My steps are faster but a little riskier
Order the part from ebay (it took 3 days to get, and is metal unlike the dealership)
Take off the license plate.
Take off the interior rear handle latch, slide cover off, it has one 10M bolt
Pop off the interior top trim piece. After that the two side pieces pop off, and then the main trim piece which covers the bulk of the door comes out. Pull it up and over the metal rail then pull hard on the left side, middle and right side. These are held in with white tabs.
There are 2 metal access covers to take out: The left one has 4 10mm bolts, comes out easy. The right has about 6 but is attached to a bunch of electrical cables. So I swung it to the side and had the seatbelt hold it while I worked
You can see the black metal cable attached to the broken handle; pull the cable to open
Pop off the white cover protecting the broken handle. Remove the two nuts holding the handle and disconnect the black metal cable attached
Remove the four 10mm nuts, which holds the window and carefully lower it down.
Remove two 10mm nuts and spring in the middle (remember how it was connected)
Then there are 3 plastic tabs that come in from the outside that holds the license plate assemblies on in each corner (bottom 2 and top right), using some pliers squeeze them together and push it through. Take off the bolt (upper left) holding the lock mechanism
Pop out the two large white tabs underneath the license plate. Use flat screwdriver
Now the risky part, have someone help you outside pull the top the top of the license plate assembly, then remove two screws holding broken handle replace with new one.
Go back inside and reverse step 7
you are done! Now make certain all plastic tabs are in trim pieces and not in the truck
Clean left and right window rails: Engine degreaser, wd40, and marine grease it all
My handle broke yesterday and since my window was not working either, I had no access through my liftgate. I used your instructions to replace the handle and performed the tsb to for the window issue. Now both are working. Thanks for making this forum great.
Re: Rear Latch
Re: Rear Latch
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