kmu9728

I have seen a couple threads about the problems with the outer door handle not opening properly. If you have also experienced this problem, I want to know what was done to fix the problem?

I bought my car in November last year and didn't have any problems with opening the door until this May. I finally had the dealer look at it this summer and they replaced the outer driver door handle (said it was binding). After about a day, it started acting up again. I just took it back last weekend and this time they adjusted the striker. Now, two days later, it has reverted back to being difficult to open once again.

Has anyone been able to get it fixed for more than a day or two?

ed_423

my front passenger side is sometimes difficult to open..but i never fixed it lol.the passengers can deal with it...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Maybe you can lubricate the moving parts?

TSXV6Guy

This is a difficult one...
First, it is definitely related to outside temperature / sunshine, so the doors will "stick" more in the summer. Appears only to affect front doors.

I am not sure that replacing the handle assembly or the latch will resolve the issue unless the latch is re-designed.

I think that the door latch is too tight against the latch (the shiny metal part on the car frame where the door closes). So with ambient heat, expansion is causing the door latch to "stick" to the striker.

temporary solution is to slightly push the door in while pulling the handle. This works for me 100% of the times but obviously is not a long term solution.

I have filed the round portion of the striker on the driver's side to experiment. WHat I mean is that I have used emery cloth to "thin" out the round portion of the striker where the door latches. It is much better than before but I don't like having to thin out this part.

Once I am convinced that this is the solution, I will post pics and measurements.

A bit of warning, if you remove the striker from the car, be very careful with the Phillips head bolts.. Do not over tighten them, and use anti-seize compound on the conical area of the bolts...

What do you guys other think of this?

SinCityTLX

Definately one of the bugs with car. Rattles and leather that easily wrinkles are the other 2. Other than than it is almost perfect. Well the chrome door handles and grille kinda suck too.

gwickes

I had the sticky driver door handle a few times last summer with the car (first 2-3 months)... didn't do anything about it, since the issue was so intermittent. No problems this year at all through the heat of the Dallas summer.

New quirk however... when I backup and stop, pull on parking brake, the XM radio cuts out... not a huge thing since I am usually turning the car off... but a new quirk to add to the list.

TSXV6Guy

^^ there is a TSB on the XM radio issue - Check the "garage" sticky. It involves the replacement of the XM unit.