How to adjust outside door handle??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
How to adjust outside door handle??
My outside door handle needs to be adjusted. It almost bottoms out before the latch will open. Does anyone know how to do this adjustment so that it will open the latch sooner?? :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (VettePower)
If it is bottoming out, I think you have a spring that is about to break, or did. I don't know if you can adjust it. I would think replacement is the way to go here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (VettePower)
Open door, and remove door panel. Once you've done this, look in the rear area by the door latch mechanism, and operate the door handle, and you should see how the mechanism operates. Believe there is a way to screw the adjustment lever shorter or longer, whichever way you need to go to get it to open sooner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (VettePower)
There is a threaded rod that attaches to the arm on the flap that you push down. The coupling that throws the lever on the latch mechanism can be adjusted on the threaded rod to engage the latch earlier. Just detach the clip and spin the coupling further down on the threaded rod, and reattach the rest of the linkage. It's tough to explain, but it's obvious once you get the door panel off and look at how the latch and handle work.
Shannon
[Modified by sb69coupe, 11:59 AM 7/16/2002]
Shannon
[Modified by sb69coupe, 11:59 AM 7/16/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (john's '81 mouse)
Just did this a while back. Total PITA. Adjustment rod needs to rotate clockwise to shorten throw of handle. Handle is held by two nuts, back one is barely possible to reach to remove, near impossible to replace. That nut is in my spare parts drawer until I can remove the door and turn it upside down to let gravity help me replace it. Do NOT close door until you're sure it is adjusted properly. You can simulate closing the door by accuating the latch with a screwdriver. :smash:
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 3,991
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (FeedVaal)
If you remove the latch assembly you can get the back nut on. You can also clean the assembly of the old grease and dirt. Re-lube it and then make your adjustments.It will work much better. There are only 3 screws holding the assembly in the door.
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (VettePower)
Funny, I did this about 6 years ago on driver's side and just again last weekend had to do it again driver's side...
but this time, I found upon removing the clip and playing with it, that in fact the upper door handle has way too much play in it before the handle ever actuates the rod assy to move the catch....SO....I looked at the whole poopieuation, and put that rod into the same size hole it used to go into originally, but it's the hole the spring clip used to slip into....
that shortened the throw on the latch lever, and with a bit of extra force but less distance on the door handle itself, it works fine....AND I didn't remove that handle>>>>>> I WIN!!!!
used tie wrap to secure it into place, bag the clip....
GENE :D :D :D :cool: :cheers:
but this time, I found upon removing the clip and playing with it, that in fact the upper door handle has way too much play in it before the handle ever actuates the rod assy to move the catch....SO....I looked at the whole poopieuation, and put that rod into the same size hole it used to go into originally, but it's the hole the spring clip used to slip into....
that shortened the throw on the latch lever, and with a bit of extra force but less distance on the door handle itself, it works fine....AND I didn't remove that handle>>>>>> I WIN!!!!
used tie wrap to secure it into place, bag the clip....
GENE :D :D :D :cool: :cheers:
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: IL
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (VettePower)
Check this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...854745#2854745
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...854745#2854745
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: How to adjust outside door handle?? (mrvette)
Nice job, Gene. I'll have to save this so when mine go (they will, Corvettes do things like this to you) so I can do the same. I like a nice firm handle. A lot easier to tell when you break something.
