Anyone else had trouble here? I've been fighting the passenger door latch for 3 days now. Driver's side works fine. Passenger has had a variety of issues. First, the handle had very little movement. Next, the lock pull rod was almost impossible to pull up (unlock). Now the handle hits the rivnuts on the window mounting plate when the window is fully up.
Full disclosure, this car has had the door skins replaced and that may have some effect. I've already taken the (scary) step of opening up the holes in the door slightly to provide clearance for the handle mech arms to pass through cleanly. That increased the movement of the mech when installed sans latch and handle but didn't fix other issues. Also, the handle mechanism is different right to left sides. The right (troublesome) side has some very nifty wedge shaped felt on the mech to keep the metal from touching the glass when lifted but that is adding additional interference and is not present on the left (working) side. It is so nice I've been hesitant to remove it but am on the brink now...
The issue with the recalcitrant unlocking is almost certainly because the handle mech is applying pressure against the top vertical portion of the latch, which needs to slide up when unlocking. The latch has been cleaned and lubricated and works fine on the bench. I can unlock if I combine pulling the rod with pushing the proper portion of the latch from below and applying a fair amount of force. Interestingly, if the latch pawl is lifted just a tad it unlocks like butter.
The handle mech sits flat against the door and has lots of movement until the latch assy and handle are attached. With the latch installed, the handle mech cannot return to flat against the door and thus has reduced throw and constant pressure from hitting the latch arm. The handle mech is located to the door by how it snugs up against the inner door structure so there doesn't appear to be any adjustment there. The tear-drop shaped holes for the two mounting studs appear to be that shape only to facilitate assembly (being able to thread nuts prior), not for adjustment. Similarly, the latch doesn't have any adjust, as the screws are countersunk into the door. Thus, the only adjustment appears to be the slots in the mech where the chrome handle attaches but I have issues prior to attaching the handle.
Also, I have to admit to not using the u-shaped metal piece pictured at top of photo (these are photos from the web, not my actual parts, btw). What is the purpose of that piece?
Before I pull out the "chief engineer" and start bending some stuff I thought I'd at least inquire. Any secrets?
Full disclosure, this car has had the door skins replaced and that may have some effect. I've already taken the (scary) step of opening up the holes in the door slightly to provide clearance for the handle mech arms to pass through cleanly. That increased the movement of the mech when installed sans latch and handle but didn't fix other issues. Also, the handle mechanism is different right to left sides. The right (troublesome) side has some very nifty wedge shaped felt on the mech to keep the metal from touching the glass when lifted but that is adding additional interference and is not present on the left (working) side. It is so nice I've been hesitant to remove it but am on the brink now...
The issue with the recalcitrant unlocking is almost certainly because the handle mech is applying pressure against the top vertical portion of the latch, which needs to slide up when unlocking. The latch has been cleaned and lubricated and works fine on the bench. I can unlock if I combine pulling the rod with pushing the proper portion of the latch from below and applying a fair amount of force. Interestingly, if the latch pawl is lifted just a tad it unlocks like butter.
The handle mech sits flat against the door and has lots of movement until the latch assy and handle are attached. With the latch installed, the handle mech cannot return to flat against the door and thus has reduced throw and constant pressure from hitting the latch arm. The handle mech is located to the door by how it snugs up against the inner door structure so there doesn't appear to be any adjustment there. The tear-drop shaped holes for the two mounting studs appear to be that shape only to facilitate assembly (being able to thread nuts prior), not for adjustment. Similarly, the latch doesn't have any adjust, as the screws are countersunk into the door. Thus, the only adjustment appears to be the slots in the mech where the chrome handle attaches but I have issues prior to attaching the handle.
Also, I have to admit to not using the u-shaped metal piece pictured at top of photo (these are photos from the web, not my actual parts, btw). What is the purpose of that piece?
Before I pull out the "chief engineer" and start bending some stuff I thought I'd at least inquire. Any secrets?
