DIY: Loose door handle adjustment
06-15-2010, 08:20 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: IN
Posts: 483
DIY: Loose door handle adjustment
First off, I'd like to introduce myself...I've been a proud owner of an 05 Mustang GT for about 2 months now (came over from the BMW forums). One of the first things I noticed about my car is how the drivers door handle is loose and doesn't retract back like it should after being pulled. Most of you are probably familiar with this problem, and I have found some scattered DIYs, but I figured I'd post my own just because it never hurts to have another perspective.
First, you'll need to remove the door panel. There are a plethora of DIYs out there for this, but I used this one:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...adjustment.pdf
Second, you'll want to carefully peel back the moisture barrier on the end left end of the door. You only have to peel it back enough to expose the large opening:
Looking into the opening, you can see how the rod system works. The gray hook-shaped part behind the handle (where the rod attaches to the handle) will have play in it...this is what we want to eliminate.
This clip is where the adjustment will be made. It's a simple clasp that grabs onto the threaded rod.
At this point, you can undo the clasp. I was able to snap it open with my fingers, but use a small flathead screwdriver if you must. Take caution not to break it.
With the clasp open, you can now pull the rod free. Then, push the rod upwards as far as possible to eliminate the play, snap it back into place, and snap the clasp closed. Test the door handle to make sure the play is gone.
Finally, take care to replace the moisture barrier. I like to heat the adhesive up with a heat gun to reattach.
Reinstall door panel.
And that's it!
First, you'll need to remove the door panel. There are a plethora of DIYs out there for this, but I used this one:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...adjustment.pdf
Second, you'll want to carefully peel back the moisture barrier on the end left end of the door. You only have to peel it back enough to expose the large opening:
Looking into the opening, you can see how the rod system works. The gray hook-shaped part behind the handle (where the rod attaches to the handle) will have play in it...this is what we want to eliminate.
This clip is where the adjustment will be made. It's a simple clasp that grabs onto the threaded rod.
At this point, you can undo the clasp. I was able to snap it open with my fingers, but use a small flathead screwdriver if you must. Take caution not to break it.
With the clasp open, you can now pull the rod free. Then, push the rod upwards as far as possible to eliminate the play, snap it back into place, and snap the clasp closed. Test the door handle to make sure the play is gone.
Finally, take care to replace the moisture barrier. I like to heat the adhesive up with a heat gun to reattach.
Reinstall door panel.
And that's it!
06-15-2010, 09:39 PM
#3
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chesapeake, Va.
Posts: 523
The usual cause is the plastic door handle(blue in your case) that holds the lever(gray piece), see red arrows, spreads over time and allows one side of the pivot (brass colored piece) to pop out of one side of the plastic handle. Moving the rod as you did will help but it may fail again. The only sure fix is to replace the door handle.
I repaired my handle by removing it and heating it with a heat gun then squeezed it together and allowed it to cool. I then re installed the pivot, lever and spring. Wish I had taken pictures but I honestly didn't expect it to work, but it's been working for a year now.
I repaired my handle by removing it and heating it with a heat gun then squeezed it together and allowed it to cool. I then re installed the pivot, lever and spring. Wish I had taken pictures but I honestly didn't expect it to work, but it's been working for a year now.
Last edited by NJ3; 06-15-2010 at 09:43 PM.
06-15-2010, 09:45 PM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: IN
Posts: 483
06-15-2010, 09:47 PM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: IN
Posts: 483
The usual cause is the plastic door handle(blue in your case) that holds the lever(gray piece), see red arrows, spreads over time and allows one side of the pivot (brass colored piece) to pop out of one side of the plastic handle. Moving the rod as you did will help but it may fail again. The only sure fix is to replace the door handle.
I repaired my handle by removing it and heating it with a heat gun then squeezed it together and allowed it to cool. I then re installed the pivot, lever and spring. Wish I had taken pictures but I honestly didn't expect it to work, but it's been working for a year now.
I repaired my handle by removing it and heating it with a heat gun then squeezed it together and allowed it to cool. I then re installed the pivot, lever and spring. Wish I had taken pictures but I honestly didn't expect it to work, but it's been working for a year now.
06-16-2010, 08:13 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: IN
Posts: 483
