Door handles and latching system
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
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From: Texas
Door handles and latching system
I'm not sure if this is how the truck was made or just happens from wear and tear on the components..
I have a 97' F-150 Lariat Ext. cab and you have to pull the driver's side handle ALL the way up before the door will open, the passenger side isn't as bad but the 3rd door interior handle barely works at all, you have to use some serious clamping force to pull the handle back and push the door open, it's much easier to reach around to the side handle.
A friend of mine has an 01' F-150 and his handles are tight, barely tug on em and the doors seem to pop open.
Does anyone know if it's possible for a novice mechanic like myself to remove the panels and tighten things up a bit, or if there's anything I need to purchase beforehand?
Thanks in advance for any advice or help.
I have a 97' F-150 Lariat Ext. cab and you have to pull the driver's side handle ALL the way up before the door will open, the passenger side isn't as bad but the 3rd door interior handle barely works at all, you have to use some serious clamping force to pull the handle back and push the door open, it's much easier to reach around to the side handle.
A friend of mine has an 01' F-150 and his handles are tight, barely tug on em and the doors seem to pop open.
Does anyone know if it's possible for a novice mechanic like myself to remove the panels and tighten things up a bit, or if there's anything I need to purchase beforehand?
Thanks in advance for any advice or help.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 113
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From: Ohio
Door handles and latching system
I just did the keypad mod to my '03 F-150 and had the handle off.
The only thing that allows the door to open when you pull up on the handle is a metal rod. This is attached to the handle and then runs straight down to a plastic clamp attachment on the mechanism. The rod is threaded at the end that attaches to the mechanism to keep it from sliding up and down in the plastic clamp.
Maybe your plastic clamp is not holding it snug enough and it is moving?
When you take the inside door cover off, there are large holes behind it that you should be able to see what is going on as you pull up the handle.
As for the rear door, sorry I don't know how that is all attached.
The only thing that allows the door to open when you pull up on the handle is a metal rod. This is attached to the handle and then runs straight down to a plastic clamp attachment on the mechanism. The rod is threaded at the end that attaches to the mechanism to keep it from sliding up and down in the plastic clamp.
Maybe your plastic clamp is not holding it snug enough and it is moving?
When you take the inside door cover off, there are large holes behind it that you should be able to see what is going on as you pull up the handle.
As for the rear door, sorry I don't know how that is all attached.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
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From: Texas
Door handles and latching system
Maybe I'll make a how-to on this just in case someone else buys a 97' with some wear and tear on the handles..
I finally popped off the panels today and lokoed inside, the "flap" as I call it, the actual plastic peice you raise up to open the door, has that metal rod you talked about, but it also has a small tension spring attached to it. Apparently my spring had popped off, which was making the "flap" jiggle a little and feel loose. Well after I reattached the spring and now opening the door feels snug and tight like it should.
Now I need to adjust that clamp at the bottom, you don't have to pull the handle as much to open the door, but I still think it needs some adjustment. The clip looks like it can be opened up and moved up and down the threaded part to some degree.
I finally popped off the panels today and lokoed inside, the "flap" as I call it, the actual plastic peice you raise up to open the door, has that metal rod you talked about, but it also has a small tension spring attached to it. Apparently my spring had popped off, which was making the "flap" jiggle a little and feel loose. Well after I reattached the spring and now opening the door feels snug and tight like it should.
Now I need to adjust that clamp at the bottom, you don't have to pull the handle as much to open the door, but I still think it needs some adjustment. The clip looks like it can be opened up and moved up and down the threaded part to some degree.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 113
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From: Ohio
Door handles and latching system
Yes, the clip can be opened up, that is provided yours is not different than my '03.
The part of the clip that faces your door skin has a small tab on it, if you pull out and towards the front of the door, it should unsnap and open.
The part of the clip that faces your door skin has a small tab on it, if you pull out and towards the front of the door, it should unsnap and open.
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