door handle problems

1991 rivage cabby

my drivers door handle has got to the point where it is very difficult to open..

The trigger on the door handle needs to be squeezed all the way down before it triggers the mechanism to open to the door..

Looking to sort this but can see how I can do it.. I have all my door card off and just need a few pointers

Cheers
Tony

HI MATE  its just as easy to swap the lock from new handle, get cheap for 25 full set,  and just to change the v fork at the handle, as temp repair you could solder onto where the linkages meet to build up the slightly worn area.  but to be honest new handle.. and no need to remove door card.

Some slight variants of the v… try new one. If not just undo screwand fit original one.

The issue with your handles are usually easily fixed with getting new handles.

Door Cards don't need to come off at all.

The issue is the door handle to Pawl to latch issue.

On the Handle you pry the coverlet off whether it is the metal cover or the plastic.



You will see a screw at the front, and one at the back edge of the door under the nitch of the door panel.



Remove the screws, or possibly your rear screw is loose and allowing the handle to move a wee bit changing the pawl to latch alignment.

Where they usually break is the rear attachment point, you can't repair it, just get a replacement.


Here is the pawl on the handle that triggers the lock assembly.


Check your handle and Grease it, so that the oblong hole
will push the pawl up fullest.

Then use a Allen to remove the lock.




Slide it out of the straight pin at the top, and unhook it from the inner lock pull.




It is pretty straight forward, to work, and you need to verify that it does easily.

Clean the crud out of it, I use Brake Clean, and acid brushes.

Same cleaned.


The once you have verified that it works Grease it.


Return it to your car, if the hook finger has moved, you can bend a wire coat hanger and fish it. then use that same coat hanger to keep it out as you re-hook it to your latch.



One last thing that could be an issue is your door alignment and if it is sagging then you have to either bend the Hinges, and or move the latch stud.  The Latching stud has a Nylon Spacer over it, and they get cut and the latch pin gets worn.  This as well as door alignment issue can cause you some issues.

The Pins are available on ebay, vw Heritage, as well as other locations,  Should be over a couple of bucks each.



Exploded view


I have a how to in the Archive section on door SAG, click  the link in my signature.

many thanks both..    it was the screw on the door edge behind the rubber seal that I missed..

took it out gave it all a good clean and refitted.. job done..  good as new..  so impressed I am going to have a brew then do the other side  

I have my door cards off making sure I have got all the leaks before I put my new sound deadening under lay in

PNERivage said

many thanks both..    it was the screw on the door edge behind the rubber seal that I missed..

took it out gave it all a good clean and refitted.. job done..  good as new..  so impressed I am going to have a brew then do the other side  

I have my door cards off making sure I have got all the leaks before I put my new sound deadening under lay in

Clean out the Rain Puckers on the Front door skin, they allow rain that passes the scrapers to drain outside.