Re: door handles 1987 4000s BTDT

[Andrei Kogan <abk@phy.duke.edu>]

s there a place that shows me how to change my driverside door handle on
my
>> 4000s 1987 audi.. Drivers side.


OK, here is what I did:

1. remove the inner door trim/handle
2. pry  the silver (or it could be black) trim plate out of the door handle 
3. remove the screws that hold the door handle in place, one at the front
of the door handle and one accessible through a hole on the same side of
the door where the lock mechanism is mounted
4. remove screws that hold the lock mechanism in place
5. reach from inside to disconnect the metal link which snaps into a track
in a  white plastic piece which opposes the key hole

6. Pull the lock mechanism out slightly and disconnect the 2 power lock
actuator arms from the top of it

7. disconnect the linkage from the inner door lever from the lock mechanism

8. turn the lock mechanism clockwise and at the same time pull the exterior
door handle along with the linkage out. 

IIRR (Installation is the reverse of  removal). It helps spending a few
minutes getting a good  idea as to what the correct mutual position of the
two linkages that connect to the door handle is before taking everything
apart. I also heard that someone managed to replace the door handle without
removing the door trim. Allegedly that person managed to disconnect the
door handle from the  linkage and connect the new one to it. For the life
of me, and after spending good 2 days looking at all the parts, rebuilding
the lock cylinder and replacing the broken trigger  I have no idea how that
is possible, so wouldn't recommend attempting it.

Andrei