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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Door handle problem

Old Jun 13, 2024 | 10:13 PM
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Door handle problem

I have a 1994 f150, the drivers side door has always been a little off since I’ve owned the truck. It doesn’t release the door correctly like the passages side, you just have to yank it and shove the door for it to open. Didn’t really care about the problem until I broke my 2nd door handle replacement. As you can imagine, yanking a small piece of plastic hard multiple times a day isn’t very good for said door handle, I’m tired of just replacing the handle. What do y’all think the problem is?
 
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Old Jun 13, 2024 | 10:47 PM
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It is the latch itself that the handle bolts to. Fixed both my 96's with new latches. The pin where it pivots gets worn and moves a different direction than what it should.
 
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Old Jun 13, 2024 | 11:49 PM
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So then a new latch should do the trick? I’ll start shopping, thanks
 
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Old Jun 13, 2024 | 11:57 PM
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You'll need to pull the door panel to inspect the mechanism, so you might as well do that. You can then see what the real problem is. Could be the handle hinge pin has worn down, the sheet metal the hinge mounts to is cracking/broken, the cable is stretched, or whatever.

Replacement cables are available, but I found that the F250 of the same vintage uses a metal rod instead of the cable. I swapped mine with that and won't have to worry about the cable stretching or breaking ever.

I also had to make a bracket to strengthen the mounting point. That door sheet metal isn't really proper for so much leverage over so many years.
 
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by seschenburg
You'll need to pull the door panel to inspect the mechanism, so you might as well do that. You can then see what the real problem is. Could be the handle hinge pin has worn down, the sheet metal the hinge mounts to is cracking/broken, the cable is stretched, or whatever.

I also had to make a bracket to strengthen the mounting point. That door sheet metal isn't really proper for so much leverage over so many years.
^this^

It is a known problem which is why you can buy a reinforcement bracket if you don’t want to make one. That is, if you find that the inner door shell is the problem.
 
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 08:55 AM
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Take a look at the striker bolt/bushing as well. I believe obssolutions sells brackets for the handle too
 
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