RowdyRebel Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 So I had the typical problem of the driver's side door latch handle snapping off in your hand when trying to exit the truck. The door panel was cracked on a previous repair, and so I'd welded the lever the handle bolts to onto the door panel...a fact which I had forgotten about prior to this repair. Anyway, handles kept snapping, and I looked into the matter online to see that I'm not the only one. Apparently, when Ford went to this body style, they started using a cable to reach between the release handle and the latch...which the internet was saying would "stretch", causing the lever to not move enough to release the door. Sounds plausible enough (although now, I think it's more a matter of the cable gumming up and not slipping through the cable guide as easily, causing increased pressure needed on the handle, which breaks it over time). I had even tried the 80's style chrome plated pot metal handles over the OEM 90's style plastic ones...and they, too, would break. Anyway, fast forward to last weekend, I had received through LMC the door latch, rod, and lever, along with a new handle...to retro-fit the OLD style door innards into my truck. Everything went together just fine, except for having to cut the old latch out & braze the new one in due to the prior welding. That is, until I parked it. If you try opening the door from the outside with the door locked, it sticks, and you cannot unlock the door with the key. It moves the lock mechanism about half way, but does not fully unlock the door. WONDERFUL, especially when the passenger side door lock tumbler has been froze up and non-functional for probably 7-10 years due to lack of use. So, I got to see how unbelievably simple my truck is to break into...plastic timber cutting wedge and a steel rod bent just right had me in that passenger side faster than I could've pulled my spare key from my pocket. Anyway, once I was IN the truck, the only way to open the driver's side door was to LOCK it, and then pull up on the handle to open the door. Tore the passenger side door apart, pulled the lock tumbler, and played with it for a while soaking it in brake cleaner and PB Blaster while working the key in & out and tapping on the tumbler pins. Got it working, but now carry the wedge & rod in my tool box "just in case". So today, I've got the driver's door torn apart again. A friend mentioned he had a similar thing happening with his Mustang, and it turned out to be the power door lock actuator was loose. Not the case here, as it is pretty snug in there...can't wiggle it at all. I've lubed everything up w/ silicone lube, and WHEN it works, it is the smoothest operating door I've ever worked. When it doesn't? No comment. I think I have narrowed it down, though. Seems to work great until you try to open it from the outside while the door is locked. Then it sticks, and until whatever is stuck loosens up again, you won't be able to open the door from the outside. The rod going up to the handle on the outside of the door doesn't return to where it's supposed to be, which prevents the door from being unlocked. Luckily it is a Ford, not a GM, so it pens just fine from inside. Trying to decide if it might just be a defective door latch, or if I got something in there hooked up not quite right... Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 what year truck? Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.