My passenger door will open from the inside and not the from the outside. There is plenty of spring to the handle and it feels OK but it wont release the latch. I pulled the door panel off hoping for something obvious and no such luck. It attempts to release the latch but it doesnt quite go far enough. There is a threaded rod that looks like an adjustment. I'm not sure how to approach this and there is little to no room to get at anyhing so I don't want to go barking up the wrong tree. Advice is appreciated. Thanks

 

passanger side door handles must be trying to get some revenge now for not being used as much as drivers side(jealousy)...I just had my passanger side door give me some headache too. my lock wouldn't unlock. I fixed this then the door handle outside wouldn't open my door. Here is how I fixed it:

Make sure he door panel is off and your window is down(more room, despite what haynes says). The rod that goes from your inside handle diagonally toward your handle(its behind the metal), in the access hole, its held on by a special clip. Its not to hard to figure out how to get it off, so I won't explain it. Remove this clip and let the rod sit on the bottom of the access hole allowing the thing it connects to to drop down about an inch(in a place this tight, everything counts). If you have big hands, you may want to consider removing this rod all together, it'll give you a bit more room.

Anyway, once thats done, way back in the back of the access hole, is the rod, it should attach to an arm like thing, that goes into the latch mechinism. the rod connects to the arm using another one of those fancy clips(by now you should be good about getting them off by hand, because you won't get a pair of plyers in there). After you get that clip off, pull the nipple(for lack of better words) out of the arm. That spins on the rod and goes up and down...spin it so it goes down, I suggest spinning it about 4 or 5 times, then put it back on the arm and the clip. You have to realize that there is barally enough room for your hand, let alone to see what you are doing.

For stuff that I cannot see what Im doing, it helps me to close my eyes and visualize what my hands are doing. In fact I do a lot of work on my car with my eyes closed(that may sound weird, but if I look at what Im doing, it messes me up for some reason, plus trying to see what im doing in a tight spot makes it difficul to get somewhat cumphy). Anyway, after you adjust this rod some, put everything back together and close the door, and try the handle(anotehr reason the window down is good)...if it doesn't work you can reach through and open the door. If it does work, try your lock, you may have over adjusted therefore making your lock not work(I had this problem). If everything works your good to go, if your handle or lock does not work, then you have to keep adjusting...its a PITA, but its better then having to open the door from the inside when your on a date.(all guys know your supposed to walk around the passangers side and open the door for her...can't do that if the handle doesn't work).

I hope this helps. It's very difficult to explain, but once you figure it out, its really quite easy, just very tight spot for hands.

Daniel

 

to adjust the rod... i find it is usually easier to yank the window out...

then u have plenty of space to tackle anything u need to do in there....

1st you have to take off the holding clip, then simply rotate the round peice until u have the "preload" u want on the latch...

warning!! dont put too much preload on the latch, or when u lock the door you will not be able to unlock it !!!!

did this just start happening or is this a new (old) C3?

could also be your latch mechanism needs work.... those rebuilt ones go for ~95 dollars and new ones go for an arm and a leg. :(

 

That little metal rod is getting twisted the wrong way when you depress the outside door lever. You need to take the handle/lever out of the door and press the fitting back in that holds the little metal rod. I hammerd mine back with a piece of metal underneath for support. take it apart and you will see what I mean.

I'd like to meet the engineer that designed that little metal rod :D

 

This is a common C3 problem here but I don't mind trying to help out. First with the door panel off, tools near by and you're in the right frame of mind to do this job proceed as follows:
Adjust everything with the door open-do not close the door until you know everything works right.
use a screwdriver to "close" the latch assembly.
now work the inside and outside handle,one at a time to see exactly what is happening. If it works ok from the inside as you said, then disconnect the outside handle rod. Try to open it with your finger pressing down on the inside lever the rod was attached to. It should work then. You can now adjust the round nut on the threaded rod to change the throw. When doing this job I always remove the latch assembly(3 screws through the door) and clean it with brake cleaner or carb cleaner. Use a whole can if have to but get it clean. Then spray some white grease in it, on it,around it ,etc :smash:
Install it and adjust the rod. If you have too much throw it could bind up the lock.You want just enought throw to open the latch. When you have it try locking the door both in and out make sure nothing binds up. WHen you finally have it assemble it and do the other door! :D
Gary

 

I still don't know why the rod is bent like that...is that to clear the lock mechinism? :crazy: :rolleyes:

Well not everything on our cars can be expertly engineered. I guess they cut corners with the door handle rod...of all places.
:lol:

Daniel

 

Is this the adjustment? http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/ferl73/d3.jpg


[Modified by FERL 73, 8:34 PM 10/17/2001]

 

yup thats it...just spin it so the connecter goes down a little...but not to far so your lock won't unlock...you have a fairly small window of error in your adjustment...so try to get it right the first time, or you will be adjusting that thing about 3 times.

Daniel

 

try again




[Modified by FERL 73, 8:39 PM 10/17/2001]


[Modified by FERL 73, 8:31 PM 10/25/2001]

 

Thanks, Don't know why but I can't attach an image! Go Blue!

 

I got into the door today and found that a pivot point with a spring (part of the door hande) is broken. I removed the door handle and ordered an OEM from zip. My concern is that it appears to be a physical impossibility to get one of the two nuts back on when I have the replacement handle. Made me wonder how many of us are running around with only one nut.

 

I knew a kid in college like that.. :lol: