quattro Digest, Vol 63, Issue 63

[jenny]

>
>>
>> I'm still trying to figure out my right front door problem on my '86 4kcsq.
>> It won't open from the outside. I've replaced the latch mechanism, which did
>> have some issues, and the door handle since it was time (isn't it always??)
>> and I was there. The inside handle works great, but from the outside, you
>> cannot open the door. When you pull the trigger on the handle, the trigger
>> lever and control rod move downward as they should, but not far enough.
>> Another fraction or two of an inch of downward movement and the thing would
>> work like a champ. 
>>
>>
>>     
Hi Steve:

I second DeWitt's recommendation to try force 5.  They are a really good 
bunch of guys.. 

The thing with door handles is that regular maintenance is a must.  Use 
break cleaner and spray lube to keep the latch itself smooth.  Often 
times what happens is the latch gets gummed up and you have to more and 
more force on the door handle until the fit isn't as tight any more.  
(I've never had one actually break.  Usually they just need to be 
cleaned and adjusted every once in a while.) Have you thrown away the 
door handle that you took off?  This is a case where limping along your 
original part is probably the best option. Maybe with fixing the latch, 
it will work fine

I have the same year and model Audi and all my door handles original to 
the care, and are a bit tricky, but they all open.  Each one has its own 
personality.  Sometimes you have to push in a bit before you pull out, 
etc.  The one I use every day, the drivers door, works the best because 
it's used the most.  I think the others get gummed up and dirty with 
disuse and are harder to open.  Always it seems like the problem is 
really with the latch not the handle itself. 

Also isn't this a really common part?  I seem to remember my dad's old 
VW rabbit had the same door handle.  Seems like there should be enough 
old VWs out there of this era that there should be enough demand for a 
decent replacement or a well spring of "gently used" parts.

Glad to hear there other people still rolling their ancient 4kqs!  We 
have had a tough winter this year and my car has been so awesome getting 
through all the snow, black ice and starting on all three of the double 
digit below zero mornings. 

Jenny
864qkcs, 84URQ
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:59:26 -0700
> From: Fay Kelley <iceisit at earthlink.net>
> Subject: Auto Update :-)
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Message-ID: <p06240803c59c3eba7d11@[10.0.1.2]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> thought I would give a little update ....
>
> I ended up getting an '88 one-ton Dodge Ram Van
> running good but uses a lot of gas ... about 10 mpg.
> Have conversion top so there is plenty of room.
> Two-way directional ceiling fan.
>
> Someone already tried to break into it at night when
> I was working at my gallery but they couldn't break the
> back door lock ... ended up bending the door.
> I had to take all of my stuff out of there (like my
> camera equipment, etc.) ... will be looking for another
> gallery space soon.
>
> Interestingly enough ... when my hubby went
> looking for help with is Chevy-S-10 he found a
> many decade old auto repair shop in a quaint
> modest part of town ... and whatdoyaknow ...
> he has all the latest German gauges, etc. !
>
> So I can get another Audi someday as there
> is someone here in town to work on it.
> Very nice owner and he never advertises
> as he is always full ... I happen to find
> him at the electric supply company near the
> airport.
>
> Hope everyone is doing well!   Cheers ~
>