944 Outer Door Handle Repair
08-13-2002, 05:49 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
944 Outer Door Handle Repair
I have long been having problems with my 944 outer door handle, and it finally failed a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty much impossible to open the door from outside the car. So I ordered the “944 door handle repair piece” from Partwerks of Chicago, hoping to avoid forking over the $$$ for an entirely new handle.
Good news and bad news.
The good news is that – with the help of two friends – I was able to repair the outer door handle this weekend. Woo hoo!
The bad news is that I did not need the repair part, after all! (It has already been resold to someone in need of such a part.) My door handle part was simply out of adjustment.
In this post I will try to explain how to conduct this repair. Note, however, that the bulk of the repair on my car was done by my girlfriend’s father (who has a golden touch with this sort of project). I just assisted… But I will do my best to explain what was done.
You will need: Phillips head screwdriver, needle nose pliers, Allen wrench, flashlight.
Good news and bad news.
The good news is that – with the help of two friends – I was able to repair the outer door handle this weekend. Woo hoo!
The bad news is that I did not need the repair part, after all! (It has already been resold to someone in need of such a part.) My door handle part was simply out of adjustment.
In this post I will try to explain how to conduct this repair. Note, however, that the bulk of the repair on my car was done by my girlfriend’s father (who has a golden touch with this sort of project). I just assisted… But I will do my best to explain what was done.
You will need: Phillips head screwdriver, needle nose pliers, Allen wrench, flashlight.
08-13-2002, 05:50 PM
#2
Drifting
Thread Starter
First step was to remove the single screw that holds the outer door handle in place, using the Phillips head screwdriver.
Using the Allen wrench, we also removed the door mechanical piece below this screw.
Using the Allen wrench, we also removed the door mechanical piece below this screw.
08-13-2002, 05:51 PM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
Once the single screw is removed, the outer door handle comes loose. You can pull it slightly back from the door itself to view the inside. The “jaws” part of the door handle piece is visible here. Quite often, I am told, these jaws have broken. If your part is broken, you may be able to see it here from the outside.
Note that the jaws are connected to this apparatus by a pin. You can remove this pin with the needle nose pliers.
Note that the jaws are connected to this apparatus by a pin. You can remove this pin with the needle nose pliers.
08-13-2002, 05:52 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Next we removed the inner door panel. Using the Phillips head screwdriver, remove several screws. There is a screw behind the inner door handle, four screws along the bottom of the carpeted door panel, and a couple of screws at either end of the door panel (these should be covered by plastic screw caps). You will also want to unscrew the door lock piece – it just screws right out by hand. After you remove all of these screws, the door panel will lift out.
Carefully peel back the clear plastic covering to reveal the door handle apparatus. It is my understanding that the inner and outer door handle use separate apparatus; that’s why one will work even after the other craps out. (By the way, after we finished the repair, we used double sided tape to put the plastic covering back in place.)
There is at least one other black metal panel to remove in order to gain clear access to the door handle apparatus. I use the phrase “clear access” euphemistically, because it is not exactly clear. At this point in the procedure, you are allowed to mutter a few swear words about German engineering.
They obviously were not too concerned with repairing this part when they designed the door handle. Oh, and break out the flashlight – it will help.
Carefully peel back the clear plastic covering to reveal the door handle apparatus. It is my understanding that the inner and outer door handle use separate apparatus; that’s why one will work even after the other craps out. (By the way, after we finished the repair, we used double sided tape to put the plastic covering back in place.)
There is at least one other black metal panel to remove in order to gain clear access to the door handle apparatus. I use the phrase “clear access” euphemistically, because it is not exactly clear. At this point in the procedure, you are allowed to mutter a few swear words about German engineering.
They obviously were not too concerned with repairing this part when they designed the door handle. Oh, and break out the flashlight – it will help.
08-13-2002, 05:53 PM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
If you look at the door handle piece, you will see that one end has jaws, while the other end has a screw-like function. In my car, the problem was simply that over the years, the screw part had turned too tight. This screw toggles the amount of tension in the door handle trigger. If it is too tight, then there is not tension in the trigger. So to fix my problem, the screw merely needed to be turned counterclockwise, in order to lengthen the piece, and increase tension in the door handle trigger.
I hope this helps! It certainly is nice to have a working door again. No more gymnastics required to enter my car. <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />
I hope this helps! It certainly is nice to have a working door again. No more gymnastics required to enter my car. <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />
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08-13-2002, 07:23 PM
#8
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hehe, you should place more emphasis on the part where you mutter a few swear words 
as your post makes it sound more or less painless. I know when I was doing it it took me forever to just figure out how everything interacted with each other.
Once you've done it once each subsequent time it will be quite a bit easier, but that first time is a real bear. Great post though.
as your post makes it sound more or less painless. I know when I was doing it it took me forever to just figure out how everything interacted with each other.Once you've done it once each subsequent time it will be quite a bit easier, but that first time is a real bear. Great post though.
08-13-2002, 07:45 PM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
Chris, you are right about the 'swear words' part. We were too busy cussing to take photos!
The entire procedure took about 2.5 hours to complete. The process of removing the screws & door panels is simple enough. The real trick is to figure out the workings of these inner mechanical parts.
In hindsight, since my car required an "adjustment" rather than a replacement, we really did not need to remove the part in question. We just needed to unscrew that one end, so as to increase the tension on the trigger. We were able to rotate this screw piece with the part still on the car.
Like everything else with these cars, with a little previous experience the job will go 100% faster. The first time is the toughest.
So.... If you have anything to add to my description, please chime in! I know that a lot of 944 owners have experienced these door handle problems, and would appreciate the advice. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
The entire procedure took about 2.5 hours to complete. The process of removing the screws & door panels is simple enough. The real trick is to figure out the workings of these inner mechanical parts.
In hindsight, since my car required an "adjustment" rather than a replacement, we really did not need to remove the part in question. We just needed to unscrew that one end, so as to increase the tension on the trigger. We were able to rotate this screw piece with the part still on the car.
Like everything else with these cars, with a little previous experience the job will go 100% faster. The first time is the toughest.
So.... If you have anything to add to my description, please chime in! I know that a lot of 944 owners have experienced these door handle problems, and would appreciate the advice. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
08-14-2002, 01:16 AM
#10
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Guys just be glad you were able to do a repair to your handles. The cylinder was bad on mine and had to buy a new. The dealership failed to tell me they do not make the handle anymore with PORSCHE on it. This is why you do things yourself. At least when you screw up there is no one to blame but yourself.
P.S. Well, there is always those that posted the help to blame also
!
P.S. Well, there is always those that posted the help to blame also
!
08-14-2002, 02:29 AM
#11
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I don't understand how a ball socket link can unscrew or loosen when it's still clipped on to the ball?
Do you mean that the pin or lever between the forks or the forks wore and thus the link required adjustment?
Do you mean that the pin or lever between the forks or the forks wore and thus the link required adjustment?
08-14-2002, 03:44 AM
#12
It took Sean 2,5 hours to do this project.I have convert this summer six 944's to 968 handles.I takes 45 minutes to do bouth doors....Practice makes wonderful things
Olli
'88 951 with 968 outside mirrors & handles
Olli
'88 951 with 968 outside mirrors & handles
08-14-2002, 05:12 AM
#13
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ok well i jsut went out and tried to do this. now i cant even open ym door from the inside. i couldnt even find thta peice that is in the picture. so how am i supposed to adjust it. theres a black metal track liek thing that the window goes in. and im thinking that peice is behind that but i dont see any way to get that out. how the heck do you get that peice out or adjust it.