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Post by batmobile on Aug 1, 2012 12:30:51 GMT -6
Hello,
My 98 Aurora has had a spongy feel when opening the drivers side door for a while now. The other day I went to open the door from outside and it made a ping sound and now the latch just moves up and down freely but doesnt open the door. Does anyone know anything that would help me fix this? If so please let me know before I start tearing into it:)
Many Thanks
Batmobile
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Post by 1996autobahn on Aug 1, 2012 12:57:21 GMT -6
Best thing to do would be to take off the door panel and look around in there. sounds like the outer door handle broke. It's the only plastic piece that I can think of. Let me know what you need. I still may have the part that you need.
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Post by batmobile on Aug 1, 2012 20:14:13 GMT -6
Thank you ! I will try to look at it this weekend and get back with you ! Thanks
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Post by kdtravis on Aug 8, 2012 14:13:16 GMT -6
Yes, the problem is that the plastic boss broke where the latch rod attaches. You will need a new door handle which is $150 from dealer or auto parts store, or $35 on ebay. I used the one from ebay. I took pictures but never posted them. Maybe I will tonight. The instructions in the factory manual DO NOT WORK.
You'll need a set of Torx sockets, or at least the one that fits the latch in the jamb. Basically it's like this:
1. With a small (1/8") screwdriver pry off the little plate behind the inside door handle
2. Remove the screw underneath in order to remove the trim bowl around the inside door handle
3. Remove screws along the bottom inside edge of the door panel
4. Pop loose any "Christmas Trees" and lift the door panel off the door. I don't remember if I disconnected wires and set it aside or swung it inside the car.
4.1 Peel back the visqueen (thin plastic like Saran Wrap) weather shield to access the door interior
5. There are two lift wires attached to the door latch. Reach inside the door and release the snap clip on the near one, and disengage from the latch.
6. Using a socket and ten-inch extension with a 10mm socket (I think), loosen then remove the bolts attaching the door handle to the door. TIP: Scrape a pea-sized piece of dum-dum or that sticky putty holding the weather shield and put it inside the socket to keep the bolt from falling out. You'll need it during re-assembly.
7. This is the part the manual gets wrong. There's no way I could reach both lift rods on the door handle. Instead, using the Torx driver, loosen the Torx bolts in the door jamb which attach the door latch to the door body. Remove the bolts and the latch will come free.
8. Insert the door key and turn it to the locked position.
9. Pull the door handle out of the door.
10. Detach the unlatch rod and remove
Notes:
1. You will need to jiggle and manipulate the door handle. It's not straightforward.
2. If you buy the cheap Chinese handle like I did, check it for conformance before installing, and for operation before you button it up. Otherwise you'll do it twice like I did. Here's the check and the fix:
The tab that engages the latch rod pivots on a rivet. It can only pivot so far as it is between two stops. Make sure the new one has no more freedom of movement than the old one. If it does, rest the two stops edge-on on a vise and beat it with a hammer so they close up a tad. Easy.
3. Nobody but nobody had the Champagne paint except an online source at $30 a can. I considered it, then took the car to the auto parts store and matched Dupli-color lids to the fender and bought the closest match. Only when I was done did I notice one of my other door handles is not a perfect match either. One reason to go to a junk yard for the part - you might actually get your own color.
4. Bear in mind that all four handles are different, but also that they are used on other vehicles.
Good luck.
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