Door handle has play.

[Furbasher]

My drivers door is very hard to open. I'm pulling the handle completely out and then some in order to open the door. It seems to have gotten worse over the past few days with frigid weather. I've never had these doors apart but it would seem a cable has stretched.

I doubt these handles are adjustable. I'm also thinking the body latch might need adjustments. Anyone have any experience?

 

[EHmotorsports]

spray some silicone grease in the latch where the door striker hits. work it a good amount of times. just needs to be lubed

 

[cheekychimp]

Quoting Furbasher:
My drivers door is very hard to open.

I'm also thinking the body latch might need adjustments. Anyone have any experience?



Are the rubber/plastic covers on the metal body latch really badly worn/damaged or missing?

If they are, then it could be that the latch is closing over them further than it is supposed to due to the decreased diameter. You wouldn't think it makes much difference but it does and can make opening the door very difficult. I had exactly the same problem! I replaced all four latches on both of my cars and I have never had an issue since. They were expensive for what they are but a door that doesn't open properly is such a pain that I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.

 

[strokin4dr]

^ I agree with Paul completely on the above post. I car I picked up last year had this issue. Made it difficult to close the door too!

 

[Furbasher]

The latch seems to have quite a bit of damage on one side. I haven't tried yet, though I was thinking about just flipping the latch upside down. flipping the used side with the unused side... I'll give it a shot tomorrow and update.

 

[EHmotorsports]

looks like a half a pic

 

[mcbride89]

Paul, did you get your latch from the dealership? My driver door latch is shredded on one side and makes closing it the biggest pain in the ass.

 

[cheekychimp]

Yes OEM Mitsubishi. You are going to ask for a part no. aren't you? I've got no idea mate but I know they are not NLA in HK yet.

 

[ade]

can these just get flipped? worn part on the inside...

Quoting Furbasher:
The latch seems to have quite a bit of damage on one side. I haven't tried yet, though I was thinking about just flipping the latch upside down. flipping the used side with the unused side... I'll give it a shot tomorrow and update.

 

[mcbride89]

Yeah I called the mitsu dealer yesterday and the parts guy told me they're NLA. Also said for drivers door when they were available, they were 94 dollars each -__-

 

[strokin4dr]

Tightly wrapping the metal part with electrical tape to mimic the size it should be has worked on my passenger door for over a year. Do it cleanly and its not even noticeable.

 

[Furbasher]

I flipped my Body latches upside down tonight. Seems to work great! Doors open up much much easier.

Worth a shot and is cheaper then new latches. My next approach would have been tightly wrapped electric tape.

 

[FlyingEagle]

Out of curiousity, have you pulled up on your door hinges for me? Do they have play, top and or bottom??

When you have play in the hinges, you are going to continually hit the striker, and crack that plastic wrap on the striker bar.

I recently purchased new hinges, and when they go on, I got some door striker bars that were in perfect shape, to install back in place.

 

[Furbasher]

I lubed the hinges but they seemed to be in good condition. No free play in them. When I flipped the body latch I also adjusted it in more towards the door and I think that played the biggest part.