4kq door handle play-abnormal & 4kq for sale?

[Mustang]

Hi Megan,

I had the same problem with a door handle on my '86 4KQ.  The existing door
handle still had the trigger intact and appeared to be working fine, but it
just would not open the door.  I then tried using another used door handle
and it too would not open the door.  I even tried bending the linkage rods
inside the door to "shorten" them a little bit (as per the archives), but
that did not work either.  Finally, I purchased and installed a new door
handle and now the door opens just fine.  I'm guessing that even though the
older door handles appear to be working fine the bushings have worn and the
linkage has stretched just enough that it can't get enough pull to disengage
the latch.  Hopefully, a new door handle will solve your problems too.  And
hang in there with your 4KQ!  I agree that these cars can be frustrating at
times, but then again any 15 year old car with high miles will be
frustrating.  At least with these we get cars with awesome traction and some
personality!

Brandon Traynham


> From: WAUFX at aol.com
> Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 14:26:38 EST
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: 4kq door handle play-abnormal & 4kq for sale?
>
> Hallo-
>
> After receving a nice functional door handle for my 4kq _for free_ from
> lister Michael Gough (mdg3369 at mac.com) (thanks again!), I set out to change
> it.
>
> What a mistake!
>
> While installing the new door handle went well enough, there is now a
> problem. The damned POS door still does not open from the outside. It's
> really odd. The rod that pushes down on the latch and connects the handle and
> the part that gets pushed down to open the door seems to have too much play
> in it.
>
> I tore the door apart in order to change this handle b/c it's so much easier,
> for me at least.
>
> So I have access to all of the door handle and lock's innards, and I can grab
> the latch rod and push down and this will trigger the button (on the gold box
> bolted to the side of the door) to retreat into the box and open the door.
> And I can watch the black part that you squeeze on the door handle go down
> when this happens (on the outside).
>
> But trying to use the door handle normally, from the outside, will not push
> the latch rod down far enough!
>
> I can open it from the inside, no problem.
>
> I am really losing patience with this car....anyone wanna buy it? New rear
> tie rods, ball joints, starter, FP relat, cap, rotor, plugs, wires, fuel
> lines, accumulator, exhaust cat-back, driveshaft, RF tie rod.. q script
> seats! It's fast too, ask Huw or Brendan. : D
>
> Comes with h4 eurolights! And a shitload of spare parts...
>
> Any advice is appreciated.
>
> I took this car to my mechanic, and he told me that I switched the lock and
> latch rods, which I did not. I am 100% sure of this. <groan>
>
> what to do *now*?
>
> Megan
>