Re: Driver's door lock mechanism

[audidude@europa.com (John Winkelman)]

>Your door handle has two connections - one to unlock, the other to open.
> There are small little arms (2) with a ball on the end that rotate to
>actuate.  Attached to the metal ball is a plastic end (slips on) with a rod
>that threads on to it.  Those rods go to the lock/release mechanisms.  What
>has happened is the plastic end has slipped off the ball - simple to fix -
>but the only easy way is pulling the door panel  :-(
>
>PS - while yer in there - lube everything w/white lithium - pays dividends
>later on (or saves!).
>
>Dave Head
>87 5KCSTQ
..................................................................
I'd disagree that the easy way is to pull the door panel.  I've resnapped
the rod ends onto the "balls" a couple of times after removing the door
handle on my 87 5kCSTQ.  The first time can be a little tedious, since you
have to work through a narrow opening between the cutout in the door and the
handle mechanism.  Thin fingers are a plus, but mine are not, and I can now
do the whole thing in 5-10 minutes. 

John D. Winkelman
audidude@europa.com
Disclimer:  I couldn't have been going that fast, officer!