rsrookie

I just replaced a loose outside door handle on my RS. Now the door won't open from the outside.(passengers side door) It opens from the inside but from the outside the handle only moves a little bit;almost as if it were locked (it isn't).
FWIW I'll mention that the rod from the door mechanism to where it connects to the door handle came off.No biggie, I put it right back in it's hole.This can only go in one way, can't it? I had to really struggle to get the rod to attach to the door handle, but I did.
I've been fiddiling with this thing for about an hour with no luck at all.Am I missing something? And YES this is the correct part number.
Thanks in advance for your help.

1983Chimaera

Check to make sure the rod from the handle to the mechanism isn't bent, this can cause issues. Also check the replacement handle to be sure it operates freely (you may have to remove it from the car to check it). If the tension spring on the back of the handle is broken or jammed, it can cause the handle to not operate properly. The last check would be to ensure you have the handle back in the same location as the old one. There is a small amount of adjustment possible, and along with one of the above issues can be enough to prevent proper operation.

white gold 88

I'd bet the rod came out at the latch. That rod just sits in a hole in a lever on the latch. It's very hard to see it, good way to check is to unhook it from the handle then push the rod down to see if it is in the correct place.

It could have gotten bent if it came loose and hit the window when it got rolled down. But that usually knocks them out of the latch also.

rsrookie

@1983Chimaera,good call.The rod was hitting something down below (don't know the technical term) only when the door was opened from the outside, not the inside, not allowing the door to open.I bent the rod at the very bottom so this won't happen again.I also had to move the door handle a smidge to get it to work better.

@white gold 88, the rod did become dislodged at the BOTTOM and I had to fiddle and f*%# with it some to get it right.

Thanks, guys!

1983Chimaera

I've had more issues with both inside and outside door handles breaking (#%$*ing pot metal!), rods bending, the plastic rod holders shattering, latches deforming, hinge bushings disintegrating...The doors are really just too heavy for the factory hinges, and the extra stress of sagging hinges and worn bushings directly effects the inside and outside handles and their mechanisms. The longer the door sags and drags, the more stress and wear the handles and door latch is being subjected to.