Re: Help...can't open wife's door

Posted by JeffM On 2008/12/31 18:01:46

I don't know your model, but if you are talking about an inside door handle that moves up or down, then there ought to be a set screw as suggested, or a retaining clip. If it's just a retaining clip, you get a new clip, put it on the handle first, and then just push the handle back on.

The clip will look like an almost complete wire ring, except for on both sides, there will be a bend. The bends on the sides of the clip fit into slots on each side of the rear shaft area of the handle. The clip should "snap" around the shaft of the handle, and you should see the bends pop into the slots. It is the bends in the clip going into the slots that keeps you from being able to just pull the handle off. The shaft of the handle goes over a "toothed" shaft in the door. There is a groove near the end of the toothed shaft that, once you push the handle (with the clip on) over it, it snaps on, and you can't pull it back off since the clip goes over the toothed shaft and lodges into the groove.

Be sure before putting the handle on that it will be in the same position as the driver's side, as you want both handles to face the same direction when they are in place and at rest.

A set screw would work similarly, except that you would put the screw in just enough to hold it in the threads of the handle first. Then, put the handle on, being sure it faces the right direction. Then, tighten the set screw (not too tight).

In both cases, there should be no need to remove the door panel.