Driver's door handle hard to open

[IAmTheWalrus]

Hi,

I have to pull quite hard on the door handle to open it, I presume a latch will on its way out. Do you have any idea what the fault is called if not broken latch and is this something I can fix myself? I used to own a bmw but it was so fidly I ended up taking to a garage.. Thanks in advance.

[Vipers]

Have you tried WD40, my drivers manual latch ceased up totally but would open with the key fob, few squirts of WD40 fixed it.

[IAmTheWalrus]

Thanks for the response but where do you want me apply it to?

[Tyre Smoke]

A dab behind each of your ears.



The door lock and handle mechanism perhaps? Just a guess since you seem to be complaining the door handle is difficult to operate.

Open the door, squirt all around the lock and do the same all around the handle. Try working the handle with the door open.

[Vipers]

IAmTheWalrus said:

Thanks for the response but where do you want me apply it to?

I put the red thin hose bit into the lock itself where you put the key in.

[Davie]

Rarely do the handles themselves need lubed given their design, but could be a sticking latch assembly or perhaps slightly misaligned caused the latch to foul the striker. But then it depends if you mean the handle itself is stiff or if the door needs a good tug to open, the latter may also be the hinges bushes which wear and cause the entire door to drop slightly. Check the that the trim lines under the windows from the leading edge of the rear door to the trailing edge of the driver's door align perfectly and if they don't... that could be your issue.

[IAmTheWalrus]

Davie said:

Rarely do the handles themselves need lubed given their design, but could be a sticking latch assembly or perhaps slightly misaligned caused the latch to foul the striker. But then it depends if you mean the handle itself is stiff or if the door needs a good tug to open, the latter may also be the hinges bushes which wear and cause the entire door to drop slightly. Check the that the trim lines under the windows from the leading edge of the rear door to the trailing edge of the driver's door align perfectly and if they don't... that could be your issue.

Just to clarify, the door handle is not hard to pull in itself, however you have to in order to open the door lock, pull it to is most extent region and apply a lot of pulling power there.

[Error_404_Username_not_found]

If I understand your post correctly, that's what my Volvo (S80) did. The handle itself moved freely but the mechanism it operates was stiff.
I spray lubed everything I could, short of taking off the door card. Not WD40 though, I'm not a fan. I used PTFE spray lube.
Been fine ever since. Four years now.

[Davie]

Agreed, I'd lube any pivot points, check the lock and latch alignment and check the door alignment. Google and YouTube are your friends.

[IAmTheWalrus]

OK well thank you, I noticed today the door handle to pull on the inside of the car has no problem.

[IAmTheWalrus]

Vipers said:

IAmTheWalrus said:

Thanks for the response but where do you want me apply it to?

I put the red thin hose bit into the lock itself where you put the key in.

Well I can't imagine how that will hit a hinge or a latch? Did you ever get the smell of it afterwards inside the car?