To Arun Rao

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

Arun, when I used "Reply" on your message to me, it bounced and shoed 
this address:

   ----- The following addresses had delivery problems -----
<rao@quattro>  (unrecoverable error)

So I resorted to posting to the list.  Others who may be replacing 
broken lock links on the 100-200 series, heed..............

> 		Just read your lock repair procedure in the
> 	archives -- my '91 200Q started doing the same thing
> 	last week (key rotates without unlocking the doors).
> 
> 		Just one question before I run off and mangle
> 	my car -- how do you get the outer door panel off? I
> 	found two screws and two holes in the inside handle,
> 	but didn't want to poke around too much without knowing
> 	what I was doing.

The handle comes off from inside.  There is one screw which holds it 
on, and it is a recessed Torx head (rats!!).  I bought a cheapo set 
of Torx bits which fit the end of a magnetic insert-bit screwdriver, 
and that's how I removed it.  This screw is at the opposite end of 
the handle from the lock cylinder, if I recall correctly.

I don't know about two screws and two holes!  The screw in question 
is black metal finish and probably 1/2" long, with a rounded head.  I 
can't swear they didn't add a second screw for '91, but mine is a 90 
and should be similar.  It is REALLY REALLY hard to see ANY DAMN 
THING up inside that area until you get the inner door panel loose 
and  carefully pull it back!!

Once the screw is out, look between the body of the door handle and the 
lock cylinder; there is a metal 180 degree "clip" with a handle 
sticking out (like the sycthe in the old USSR flag) which places 
tension on the lock cylinder.  The clip is made out of flat metal, 
about 1/4-3/8" wide.  You will need to rotate the clip to make it 
loosen, if it does not loosen when you remove the screw.

This is one of those deals where one screw holds part A, and part A 
holds part B, and the two together plus a clip hold part C.   You 
will liikely need to put it together outside the car once or twice to 
familiarize yourself with the setup.  Getting that flat metal clip 
back in - the last item, I believe - can be tricky.

One thing I have learned - and I don't know how to tell you do do it 
- it is VERY important that the teeth on the new lock link be 
CENTERED relative to the toothed mechanism mounted above it on the 
door handle.  This mechanism controls the alarm setting, and if the 
link is not positioned correctly, the alarm will be erratic in 
function...and beep when you're sitting down.

The problem is that you need six hands (AND circlip pliers with 
fine-tip points) when you're installing the lock cylinder, and 
centering that link is not easy when you're already in octopus mode.
 
> 		Thanks for posting the instructions, and in
> 	advance.

One more note - that damn door handle likes to come apart.  Don't get 
fumble-fingered and drop it down the outside of the door, causing a 
narrow vertical racing stripe.....

Best wishes and good luck!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843           Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
W3 page - http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm

Saunders' Slant: "If it's worth doing, it's worth hiring someone
 who knows how to do it."