outside door handle-sticky
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
outside door handle-sticky
I`m having a hard time opening the drivers side door from the outside. The inside works fine. It seems like when you push down its not engaging all the way. Is there an adjustment?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
There may be an adjustment, and you have to take the door panel off to do this.
The door handle depresses a lever ( L shape that is riveted to the latch) that has a rod (approx 6 inches long) connected to it that pushes down on the door latch. There may be two things happening.
1. THe lever that is riveted to the door handle may actually be inside of the door handle opening. The door handle pushes against this part, but it is possible for the lever to get inside of the handle. If that happens, I dont think you will be able to open the door from the outside at all.
2. The rod that connects the hanldle to the door lock has a threaded part that allows for some adjustment. To get to this the door panel has to be taken off. The adjustment nut has a threaded hole through it that allows it to be screwed up or down. To do this you need to remove the locking clip that holds it in place, screw it up or down as needed, and reinsert into the lock to test.
If you need to take your door handle off to get to the spring mechanism, the door handle is held in place by 2 nuts. One is easy to get to, the other will take you a long time to get off. I did this and ended up leaving it off. I could not get it back on. It might be due to my frustration level at the time though.
kdf
The door handle depresses a lever ( L shape that is riveted to the latch) that has a rod (approx 6 inches long) connected to it that pushes down on the door latch. There may be two things happening.
1. THe lever that is riveted to the door handle may actually be inside of the door handle opening. The door handle pushes against this part, but it is possible for the lever to get inside of the handle. If that happens, I dont think you will be able to open the door from the outside at all.
2. The rod that connects the hanldle to the door lock has a threaded part that allows for some adjustment. To get to this the door panel has to be taken off. The adjustment nut has a threaded hole through it that allows it to be screwed up or down. To do this you need to remove the locking clip that holds it in place, screw it up or down as needed, and reinsert into the lock to test.
If you need to take your door handle off to get to the spring mechanism, the door handle is held in place by 2 nuts. One is easy to get to, the other will take you a long time to get off. I did this and ended up leaving it off. I could not get it back on. It might be due to my frustration level at the time though.
kdf
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Have the same problem on my drivers side. The outside handle depresses but will not pop back to flush position.
If the door's locked and I depress the handle, I cannot get in. I must enter the car from the passenger side then lean over and actuate the inside door handle until the outside handle pops back to it's flush position.
A real hassle and I'm planning on installing new doors handles when the car is in for paint.
I was guessing the handle was either worn out or goo'ed-up.
If the door's locked and I depress the handle, I cannot get in. I must enter the car from the passenger side then lean over and actuate the inside door handle until the outside handle pops back to it's flush position.
A real hassle and I'm planning on installing new doors handles when the car is in for paint.
I was guessing the handle was either worn out or goo'ed-up.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
It was a very difficult job on my car, but only because of the small places you have to get your hand to and at the same time can't see what you're doing. Just relax, have a beer, and go slow... you will get the job done. Be careful with those little clips that hold the rods in the correct places. They are cheap to replace, but they do break easliy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
door handle
i'm in the process of replacing my drivers door handle now... the nut closest to the door jam is a b^%$#*ch to get off for sure, but patience is the key here... i figure when i get the new handle if i cut the thread and leave enough for just the nut i'll be able to install the nut back on with a ratchet type socket wrench... will let you know how it goes...
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
One way to get at the rear nut on the bottom of the outside door handle is to remove the 3 slot head bolts that hold the door latch in place. Let the latch hang down inside the door and then install the nut on the handle. Then push the latch back up and install the 3 bolts. The latch I'm talking about is the mechanism that grabs the striker when the door closes. This has worked for me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
BKbroiler,
I looked at those three screws and wondered if that is what needs to be done to get the clearance. I did not want to unscrew them and mess up any other alignment. Thanks for the advice on this.
As far as the clips are concerned, all of mine broke off when I was trying to take the rods off. I found replacement clips at the local parts store. $3.99 for a package of 10 assorted clips.
kdf
I looked at those three screws and wondered if that is what needs to be done to get the clearance. I did not want to unscrew them and mess up any other alignment. Thanks for the advice on this.
As far as the clips are concerned, all of mine broke off when I was trying to take the rods off. I found replacement clips at the local parts store. $3.99 for a package of 10 assorted clips.
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
KDF - Those 3 screws/bolts are tapered so they will put the latch back in exactly the same place it was originally. This procedure simplifies the job of reaching the nut on the door handle significantly.
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