TEN GRAND

I have read that it is a right of passage of 928 owners to have to replace the drivers door handle, well put me in that group. I have read every thread out there pertaining to this and I want to say thanks to everyone. Instructions on how to remove the door panel-excellent. I also read that removing the dorr handle bolts are a problem quotes like you need to be a pigmy brain surgeon or plastic man in order to get to them.
I have read that people have removed the lock mechanism or loosened the window in order to get to the bolts to remove the door handle and the bracket. I didn't need to do either to remove the 2 nuts and the two allen wrench bolts. They were extremely easy to get to. I thought wow! this is going to be a peice of cake. Boy was I wrong.
Now, for the problem, the handle and bracket are removed. What I cannot seem to do is to put the bracket back onto the bolts, is there a trick? Do I need to remove the lock mechanism to be able to install the bracket no one has posted that it needs to be done this way. Frustrated--help. James

chaadster

10K,

I'm not sure if I remember the procedure all that well, but I don't recall not being able to get the bracket seated.

Are you sure you've got the proper piece? I believe they are left/right specific.

Are you trying to place the bracket with the latch actuating rod hooked on? I placed the bracket first, then attached the thin, metal rod that moves the latch. It might be restricting the movement.

Those are the only two things that come to mind. You should not have to remove the lock.

Hopefully it is something simple. Good luck.

TEN GRAND

thanks, yes they are left and right specific I compared the brackets (old one and new one) it is the correct one. I do have the actuating rod hooked on. I will take the rod off and see. Heading out now. The part of the bracketthat the actuating rod is hooked on is posing the problem.

Big Dave

Wait until you find out that your power locks no longer cycle correctly


It's not complicated, but it is a time-consuming job. Steps 10-50 are essentially the same....drop bolt into bottom of door....fish it out.....repeat.

TEN GRAND

the bolts are not the problem. I cannot get the door handle bracket mounted onto the bolts. Is there a trick to this?

heinrich

if the spring loaded cast iron piece is broken, the two mount surfaces are at different plains, nd will never be able to be mounted to the handle. So take a look, in that case you must pull the thing anyway.

TEN GRAND

The spring loaded piece ie the bracket is new that is what is being replaced. I cannot place the bracket onto the two bolts that are inside the door.

heinrich

this should be no problem as the holes IIRC are oblong and adjustable ... did you pull the anti-theft plate? Are you working blind? Is your window down?

Bill51sdr

Not a problem on the '89 and newer cars, Porsche went to solenoids on the locks. There is a LOT more space to work in as a result.

Perhaps you can take pictures of the problem you are having and we will be better able to help.

TEN GRAND

anti theft plate removed window down. The actuator arm basically sticks straight out into the door not the open area do I need somehow to depress the arm down? There is a lot of room to wiggle and waggle but the bracket will not line up to the bolts.

Jim M.

Door handle R & R 3 hrs, it’s crucial the linkage between the handle and the latch is adjusted properly. Incorrect adjustment causes premature handle failure from worn stoppers (for max pull) that put extra strain on the linkage. The arm breaks off after the stop has worn enough. Remove the door panel and close the window. Find the anti-theft plate next to the lock mechanism. Loosen the nut and bolt that hold its mounting bracket in place at the bottom front corner. Don't remove them, it slides off when loose. Open the window and finish removing the plate by removing two screws, one in a recess at the top edge of the door and the other on the aft side of the door above the latch. With the window all the way down you can maneuver the plate out and close the window. Don’t loosen the glass. Locate the lever attached to the handle mechanism and pop it off. Remove the 2 bolts that hold the exterior door handle to the inner mechanism and remove the nuts that hold the inner mechanism and replace it. There is room for adjustment so the handle doesn’t rub on the door. Check for smooth operation before putting it back together. Remove the lock mechanism to get better access. Remove 2 bolts that are slightly recessed along the top edge of the door, and then remove the two bolts holding the latch. Then pop lever from the lock off the mechanism. Lower the mechanism into the door. Adjust the handle so it doesn't rub against the door. On reassembly slide the lock button back up through its hole, and reattach the lever from the lock to the mechanism, by first removing the lock. Remove the rubber cover and the bolt that hold the lock in place. With the lock held just outside its hole in the door, reach into the lock's door hole, and press the lever back in place to its connector on the lock mechanism. Reattach the lock in the door; reattach the lever from the lock mechanism to the connector on the inner handle mechanism, by pressing it on with a screwdriver. With the window down, re-install the anti theft plate. Close the window and tighten everything. P/N 928 537 063 04 cost $46. A write up with pictures is at: http://sis125.berkeley.edu/928/wk-door-handle.html

Jim Mayzurk
93 GTS 5-spd