Difficulty in changing door handles

[Pete940]

A part of the drivers exterior door handle mechanism broke, a common fault apparently.
However I can't find any tips as to how to get a new one back on.
There's a solid wire that the part in question has to hook onto, but that seems to be very difficult!

People who've done it must know what I'm talking about, any tips?

I can't even see how the handle would come off if this part was still intact, so I'm also interested to hear how people have managed to remove working ones.

Thanks

[wrinkles]

I have just changed all mine they are a bit of a fiddle but when you have the knack it is quite easy. You need to pull the link rod up and hook it over the edge of the hole the handle came out of then get your hand inside the door and locate it from the outside pull it up with plires and hold it with your hand inside the door. You should then be able to hook the loop on the handle on and fiddle it back into the door. The rubbers are a bit awkward to get to sit right under the handle. Good luck and take your time to get it right. If you manage to break anything I have plenty of bits.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by wrinkles

I have just changed all mine they are a bit of a fiddle but when you have the knack it is quite easy. You need to pull the link rod up and hook it over the edge of the hole the handle came out of then get your hand inside the door and locate it from the outside pull it up with plires and hold it with your hand inside the door. You should then be able to hook the loop on the handle on and fiddle it back into the door. The rubbers are a bit awkward to get to sit right under the handle. Good luck and take your time to get it right. If you manage to break anything I have plenty of bits.

Exactly what Wrinkles has said, took me ten mins tops to remove three.

[Pete940]

You make it sound so easy. The rod didn't come up far enough when I pulled it, I'll pull harder next time!

[855 tdi]

The connecting rods are on a thread, if you've been unknowingly twisting it while touching it then its possible you've made the rod shorter hence why it wont fit, if that's the case you just twist the hook bit the other way to extend it. The whole thing is a bit of a fiddle but after doing the first one the other 3 weren't too bad, the passengers door on my 740 was the worst as it had other stuff in the way so i had to just feel around.

Edit: Don't think wrinkles mentioned it but make sure you put the clip back on to hold the rod in place, you probably know as you've removed it.