Outer door handle not working
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Outer door handle not working
Its quite difficult to be 250 lbs and being forced to open the drivers door from the passenger side.
My outer handle on the drivers door is not working. When I try to use it, it feels normal (has resistance when it tries to unlatch). However, it won't unlatch. For a short while, I could use both hands and very forcefully pull the door open, but not now.
I don't know how to attach this monster... whether I should take the inner panels off, etc. I'm afraid to get in there and do too much dismantling... don't want to screw up the power windows.
My outer handle on the drivers door is not working. When I try to use it, it feels normal (has resistance when it tries to unlatch). However, it won't unlatch. For a short while, I could use both hands and very forcefully pull the door open, but not now.
I don't know how to attach this monster... whether I should take the inner panels off, etc. I'm afraid to get in there and do too much dismantling... don't want to screw up the power windows.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Outer door handle not working (Simon Alexander)
I had a similar annoying little problem a while ago--I couldn't open the driver door from the inside. I lived with rolling down the window to open the door until I took off the panel to take a look.
Do that and then work the mechanism a few times, watching carefully how all the little rods and pivots interact. In my case, I just had to adjust the threaded end of the long rod that angles up toward the rear OUT a few turns to get it long enough to fully depress the tab that actually does the unlatching.
It's pretty simple if you think it through. Good luck.
Do that and then work the mechanism a few times, watching carefully how all the little rods and pivots interact. In my case, I just had to adjust the threaded end of the long rod that angles up toward the rear OUT a few turns to get it long enough to fully depress the tab that actually does the unlatching.
It's pretty simple if you think it through. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: Outer door handle not working (Simon Alexander)
Remove the door panel (gently now.) You will see the two pieces that make up the acuating lever. Remove the clip that keeps the two levers secure and twist the lever with threads on it in a little at a time testing that the outside handle operates. Once it starts working regularly twist it in some more. There was another post on this topic a week or so ago with a more detailed description. Once you get the panel off you will quickly see how it operates. No big deal really (as it is a labor of love) and it doesn't take much time either! About 2 chill pills worth! :cheers:
From Bahrain
River Rat (Desert Rat for now) :flag
From Bahrain
River Rat (Desert Rat for now) :flag
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Burlington NC
Re: Outer door handle not working (Paul 75 L82)
Surgeon comment works here. It also helps if you have small hands. I've got that same 250# problem going and my hands aren't exactly the smallest. However tearing the doors apart is not a big ordeal, fairly straight forward once you get in there. Again the hardest part will be getting your hand in there far enough to work.
-david
-david
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 515
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From: IL
Re: Outer door handle not working (Simon Alexander)
This may help
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=168520
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=168520
