Technical Sticky Door Handle - Wont shut properly!

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Technical Sticky Door Handle - Wont shut properly!

You need to use Silicone based penetrating oil, the door handles on most cars have plastic bushes in them which WD40 makes them swell and stick worse.
Silicone based chain grease is fab! it goes on/in like WD but sets to a grease :D
 
I have just fixed mine.
I was hoping to do a guide for this last week....no time.

I had the door card off for another job (check strap), both front door handles were sticking up.

I took the handle off. I could then easily see that it is sticking on the handle itself, and not the door lock mechanism, that causes the problem.

The handle part is connected to the backing plate by two splined pins. The splined parts are in the handle part. The round parts rotate in the backing plate. Corrosion on those pins creates extra friction, this prevents the return spring from returning (closing) the handle.

I soaked mine in oil for a few hours, this helped loosen the corrosion. But the handle was still sticking.

I then drilled two small (2-3mm holes) in the pin housing on either side. This allowed:

1. Oil to penetrate to where it's really needed.
2. Me to lubricate the handle properly when reattached to the car

The second point is very important. It is almost impossible to lubricate the joint properly when the handle is attached to the car, lubricant does not really get to where it is needed.

That's why many people struggle in freeing the handle properly when spraying with WD40, etc.

Now the handle works properly, I can lubricate it properly when needed, and I didn't have to buy a new handle.

Nice....
 
Good stuff but now spray it again with silicon grease or 3 in 1 gun oil. That will give longer lasting protection. Worth doing every 6 months.
 
There are actuator rods that connect inside that run in platic holders. They have plastic holders on the end that snap easily and can get lost in the innards so be careful fixing and correcting them. Fiat do replacements though for a couple quid.
 
Just fixed my door handle, used penatrating oil and working the handle till loose. MOT tommorow so thanks for the advise.
 
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