I've recently fitted ne door speaks (the good ones) and wonder if beacuase the doors are hard to shut if could be effecting my handle locks .I can lock both driver and passenger door handles but can't seem to unlock them .Ive tried applying pressure against the door but it doesn't help .Anyone have any ideas ?
Help with my front door handles
- Thread starter fozworth
- Start date
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Stiffness of shutting the door will have no effect on the locking mechanism, because this is all related to the internal parts, rather than the door catch itself. Have you checked the tiny springs on the door lock mechanism itself? These are prone to rusting away or snapping due to their size and will cause the same issue you describe. A lot of people suggest find that they are a **** to replace but I found them pretty easy on mine after having to redo them a couple of times to get the tension correct.
pete_the_teapot
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I don't know if this helps but I had the same problem when I replaced my door handles (1969 Bay) - but maybe for a different reason...
My issue: doors were tight to close and open having been locked
Cause: my door trim panel (replacement) was thicker than the original - this in turn pushes the interior door handle outwards putting strain on the interior mechanism
Test: remove the finger plate on the interior door handle and loosen the screw as much as you can without the handle falling off. Does it open/close easier now? (Best to wind the window down incase you get locked in / out!)
Fix: Tighten the screw to a point that keeps the interior handle on but allows the mechanism to work. Trim down the material of the door trim where the metal handle plate touches it.
I hope (like me) it will be this easier and not a more serious fix
Pete
My issue: doors were tight to close and open having been locked
Cause: my door trim panel (replacement) was thicker than the original - this in turn pushes the interior door handle outwards putting strain on the interior mechanism
Test: remove the finger plate on the interior door handle and loosen the screw as much as you can without the handle falling off. Does it open/close easier now? (Best to wind the window down incase you get locked in / out!)
Fix: Tighten the screw to a point that keeps the interior handle on but allows the mechanism to work. Trim down the material of the door trim where the metal handle plate touches it.
I hope (like me) it will be this easier and not a more serious fix
Pete
Yes the little springs - they are not the ones on the end of the barrel, they are less important as they just return the key to the horizontal position. The springs in question are in the mechanism itself that is bolted into the inside of the door. There are many threads and photos on google showing you the location of where they should be if they're missing.
