Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 22:26:15 -0500
Reply-To: Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marshall <mjruskin@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: 87 Door Handle broken & Door Stuck!
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
One thing you could try, and it's not hard to do, it to remove the door
handle, and then release the mechanism.
You say you can open the door from the inside?
Great! - open it and look at the rubber door seal nearest to the handle, on
the inside edge of the door.
If you peel back the rubber, you will see a phillips head screw which hold
the door handle on. Usually it's a brass color, if I'm not mistaken.
Get a philips screwdriver (one that fits well!) and remove the screw. You
can then pull the door handle backwards towards the edge, (away from the
hinge) and it will come off easily. It'll just almost pop off.
At that point, you can trigger the door release, by pressing on the piece of
metal inside the door. This may release the mechanism.
If the problem is in the handle itself, some lube - pretty well anything (at
this point) can be used to free up whatever is stuck.
After you have it released, you can then properly lube the door lock with
some teflon spray.
When you put the handle back on - make sure the plastic seal under the
handle is seated properly, and make sure the single screw is good and tight.
If it loosens up - use some mild lock-tite from a parts store.
Hope this helps,
Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
Winnipeg, MetricLand
----- Original Message -----
From: "EarthSister" <websister@EARTHNOW.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 01:32 PM
Subject: 87 Door Handle broken & Door Stuck!
> Hi Vanagon Listee's!
>
> We seem to have had a perplexing problem come up. The passenger side front
> door of our 87 westy broke a week ago. The exterior "trigger" that pulls
in
> with your fingers when opening the door from the exterior handle no longer
> springs out, and is stuck in the compressed position.
>
> The door is stuck shut, with the interior door handle, nor the exterior
> door handle able to open it. The lock mechanism feels jammed when you tug
> on the door lock.
>
> What do we do now? It seems like it will be very difficult to get the door
> panel off without being able to open the door. (The dash and seat are in
> the way)
>
> Is there any wisdom that can be shed upon this dire situation? Is there an
> "easy fix"? Is there anyone that has an extra passenger door handle they
> would be willing to sell us?
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> Glen & Ri
> 87 Westy
> 67 Singlecab
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