It should be noted that is this being performed on the right door, but applies to both the right and left.
The first step in to remove the door panel. First remove the 2 screws holding the armrest with a 10mm socket. Be sure to retain the washers.
Then remove the door handle bezel, by removing the single Phillips screw, circled in yellow, behind the handle.
It is not necessary to remove the speaker for this repair. After the bezel is removed you can start to remove the door panel. I used a tool designed for this purpose that can be purchased at any automotive store such as Napa, Autozone, or Advanced Auto. I covered one side in duct tape to keep it from scratching the paint.
Now is when it pays off to take you time as to avoid breaking the plastic studs that hold the panel on. Go around the panel with the tool carefully prying each stud out. Carefully maneuver the panel off of the door lock, disconnect the speaker, and the panel is ready to be removed.
Inevitability, some studs will not come out or break off. To get these out in areas where the panel tool will not fit, I wrap a length of wire around the stud twice, and pull with a pair of pliers.
You should now be looking at this:
Carefully pry back the plastic moisture barrier in the upper right corner (upper left for left door). Remove the 2 screws in the middle of the mounting plate, circled in red, holding the actuator. Then remove the top 2 screws circled in yellow. Do not let the backing plate for these 2 screws fall down into the door when you remove them. Remove the bottom 2 screws and then the plate. Unhook the actuator from the linkage.
You are now ready to adjust the inner and outer door handles, first the outer. Disconnect the clip, circled, from the rod marked in the photo, the clip rotates clockwise off the rod. Turn the rod to adjust the outer handle, clockwise if you are adjusting to compensate for wear. Turn the rod a few complete turns and then reconnect, and close and open the door to test it. Keep adjusting and testing until the handle feels right to you.
The inner door handle is adjusted with a small nyloc nut at the end of the rod. You cannot see the nut so you must feel for it. You will find the correct linkage right below the opening you have been working through. Feel down, moving towards the latch. You will feel an "S" shaped portion of the rod followed by a plate with the nut on the other side. With a 7mm wrench adjust the nut, circled in yellow, clockwise to compensate for wear. Test the door as you did before until the handle feels right to you.
You have now completed the adjustments. Reinstallation is the reverse of removal. Just remember, the longer screw goes in the front of the armrest.
