external door handle

[kawajohn]

Hi All, newbie here with a 1979 1500 Spitfire.

I have a problem with the drivers external door handle, It wont open the door, I can open from the inside and have just replaced the internal door handle due to the handle snaping in two.

Yhe handle sometimes clicks when I operate it but not always, I have removed the mechanism and everything seems to be working as it should, however when re-installed dosnt seem to have the grunt to operate the mechanism.

My thoughts are possible bent reactor plate on the door catch mechanism but not sure.

Any help / thoughts appreciated.

Cheers

John

[shadowbane]

One thing to check ....mine didn't open from the outside and after much swearing  ;D due to repeatedly taking the handle off i discovered it simpley wasn't attached tight enough to the door :/

[kawajohn]

shadowbane wrote:

One thing to check ....mine didn't open from the outside and after much swearing  ;D due to repeatedly taking the handle off i discovered it simpley wasn't attached tight enough to the door :/

Yup checked that, all ok there but thanks for the tip

[Spitfire1500]

Dear John,

It could well be that the remote rod has disconnected and/or a clip has broken or come off.

If you carefully remove the window-winder mechanism with an allen key as well as the internal door handle plate and the internal grab handle with screwdrivers, before carefully prying off the door card, you should see a number of inspection holes. Now if you follow both rods to the door handle and latch, and you move the internal door handle, you might find that one of these rods are not moving or it might be bent.

If you follow this up with a torch, you should hopefully find the problem there.

Kind regards,

David

[Doug Paterson]

There is a wee bit which can break on the door handle mechanisms - sorry I don't know where to begin in describing it but my passenger side suffers from this - a small pin flaps around and sometimes engages with the mechanism (And opens the door) and other times fails.  

My solution which has worked fine for the last 8 years has been to remove the door card and put a blob of thick grease over the "pin".  Stops it flapping out of its hole and works every time for about a year  :)

Sorry that's a poor description - if you get the door card off and prod around the back of the mechanism with a torch you would spot the bit I mean if that's the issue.

[Doug Paterson]

OK - the flappy bit I mean is arrowed in the pic  :)

[cook1e]

The other bit shaped like a key is prone to breaking as well and has the same result of the door not opening. The originals are made of plastic. New ones from most of the traders now come as a casting in alloy which is a bit more durable.

[CharlieB]

cook1e wrote:

The other bit shaped like a key is prone to breaking as well and has the same result of the door not opening. The originals are made of plastic. New ones from most of the traders now come as a casting in alloy which is a bit more durable.

But doesn't actually fit as the hole is drilled in the wrong place  :( (How do I move a hole?)

[bodders1]

CharlieB wrote:

(How do I move a hole?)

Fill it with JB Weld (or similar) and then re-drill.

[nang]

Had this problem with my Mk4.
There is a sort of spring clip with a split pin going through two holes in the clip. I adjusted mine by pushing or pulling ,can't remember which, the spring along the clip and this fixed it.
Good luck Tony.