For the life of me, I can't get the door handle off...
 

I have electric door locks

My outer door handle seals are crumbling. I don't want to slice them like I've read.
I've got the door panel off.
I've got the handle loose.

I've followed the instructions in the repair manual. I've read the write-ups.
In #4, whatever the clip was attached to fell and is no longer accessible. What was it, and what does it do?
I'm stuck at #5.
For the life of me, I cannot find the other end of the lever to unclip it.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...5983a26fe4.jpg
This is about as far as I can pull the handle out of the hole.
The repair manual states "Unclip deflection leveer at door lock inner section -- deflection lever is accessible across door aperture for forced air vent."

But nope. Sure can't see it through the vent

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...f6d33e49a9.jpg

Access to the other end of the #5-step bar seems to be covered by the inner large black bracket. Not sure what happens if I try to remove it...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...73b85de988.jpg

Nope, not in here that I can see...


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c25980eca8.jpg


WHERE IS IT?!?

the black bracket is for theft prevention. Unbolt the 10mm's there and remove, and all will be clear, and MUCH easier to work on. Have done this numerous times.

if you are just doing the gasket, slide the larger gasket over the small end of the handle. inverted, of course. let the hole in the gasket go to the long rivet and the rear will slide over the handle with some spit or wd.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...8446388637.jpg

Already thought of that. Didn't work for me. Seems like you have to really streeeeeeeeeeetch the gasket to get if over the rear of the handle.

Also, what do you mean "long rivet?"

I removedit about an hour ago. Still not much clearer. As best I can tell, the ball join I need to unclip is done, and has been done for a while, apparently.
However, the handle still will not lift away from the hole in the door.
I have removed the tiny screw on the back of the microswitch, but can't figure out how to remove it from the handle itself.

Look in this diagram for the part numbers... note: part number 8 is brown and part number 9 is white (different part numbers for left and right side.)

SUCCESS! I had mistaken the unhooked ball joint for the one I was actually looking for. I think my photograph with the arrow was the clip I needed to unhook. I'll have to go look.

Ordered, thanks. But ordered before I managed to find the lost part, which had gotten wedged between the door shell and a brace of some sort. Had to fish it out with a bent piece of wire.



All my gaskets are soaking in Aerospace 303, hopefully it will improve longevity.

Now if I can just get it all back together..

This was the most irritating thing I'd ever done, I think. I might just have to take the easy way out and "slice" the passenger side like others have done.

Quote:

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if you are just doing the gasket, slide the larger gasket over the

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I soaked my new gasket in near boiling water for a while, stretched like crazy, and it worked without tearing. Was nerve wracking though.
Jon

Heck yea!! That's what I did. When you put it on it's held in place and the slice is pressed together and you can't even tell.

If you haven't put everything back together then unfortunately you have not had frustration yet😕

Get a long pair of needle nose pliers and be patient.

Good luck

Agreed!

I'm attempting to do that since yesterday. I've been at it since 7am this morning. It's noon now.
I've bee using some long hemostats borrowed from a neighbor. Nope, no-go. One I get the tips close to the connector, I have zero room to open them and grab it...
I had to loop a piece of wire around the deflection rod connector and pull it downwards as I slid the handle into position, otherwise, the deflctor rod wanted to go upwards towards the window.
I unbolted the bottom of the window rail to move it a bit, on advice from someone. Doesn't move much...

Part of my issue it that my car is STARK FRICKING WHITE and the SUN IS OUT with not a cloud in the sky, and because of the whiteness, I'm experiencing some severe retina burn and forget looking into a hole to see what I'm doing. I've blue painter's tape, but its not helping very much. Suddenly, our weather decided it's gong to be 80 fricking degrees. I'm heat stroking, trying to use my car cover to provide some shade. Not helping.
the other issue is the constant phone calls from scam calls. And customers. The scam calls are relentless. And since I run my own business, I need to answer every call...

I've got a USB endoscope connected to my phone... the little white connector is.. there... right next to it's ball. I just can't get it...

Even my 911 door handle was easier tan this. WTH.

I ordered these last night. Hopefully one of them will work...
.

Yep, those are very handy... Almost like having an extra pair of hands when you need them.