Door handle hard to open

drmudryk · Sat, Jul-31-2010, 08:28:22 PM

Is there a DIY thread out there to fix the effort it takes to open the door from the outside? My passenger door seems pretty normal, but the driver's handle (on the outside) seems very loose and hard to open. It seems that maybe the door may be slightly sagging and the latch not hooking up with frame in the correct position. I have noticed this on few M3's that I have test drove.

Any help would be appreciated.

jhanford1 · Sat, Jul-31-2010, 08:41:14 PM

Yes, there is, with a video. Do a search.

m3freak86 · Sat, Jul-31-2010, 10:52:28 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hT9E-BQOJk

Rendezvous · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 01:39:36 AM

The above video method worked perfect for me.

drmudryk · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 01:41:11 AM

Thanks guys. Did this and no change at all for me. I'm going to play with moving the metal latch in the door jam up or down to see if it helps.

neuralracing · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 02:15:47 AM

I have to try this as people complain that they have to pull up hard on the handle to get into my car.

ImolarotII · Sun, Aug-01-2010, 04:43:37 AM

lol @ the end of the video.

Didn't it was that easy. Probably adjust mine tomorrow.

drmudryk · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 02:27:58 AM

Although the "quick fix" didn't work. I decided to play with my door jam latch. (The silver U shaped thing in the door jam).

Pop off the black cover and get our your Torx set. I moved mine up and down numerous times will I found a suitable easy open and close. I think I ended up slightly down and slightly right from original, but everyone's will probably be different.

If you move it too far left and right, your door will close and look like its still open or too far closed.

Problem solved!

SpdFrk · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 03:13:08 PM

I have to give this a try. Both of my doors are hard to open. Thanks for sharing.

Jako1 · Mon, Aug-02-2010, 05:33:41 PM

I tried the same and there's only so much adjustment. If it still is hard to open you need to replace the internal latch.

Don't wait till the door gets to the point where you can't even open it, like I did.

Sat, Jul-31-2010, 08:28:22 PM	#1
drmudryk Dr. Dan Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 218 Reputation: 0	Door handle hard to open Is there a DIY thread out there to fix the effort it takes to open the door from the outside? My passenger door seems pretty normal, but the driver's handle (on the outside) seems very loose and hard to open. It seems that maybe the door may be slightly sagging and the latch not hooking up with frame in the correct position. I have noticed this on few M3's that I have test drove. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ FOR SALE 2005 M3 SMG, PSS10, Borla Cat-Back, Turner Sway Bars, H&R Spacer F/R, Turner Bar links F/R, Turner camber plates, K&N Cold Air, Navigation. I have my eyes on a 2008 M5. (I have kids) http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=329255

Sat, Jul-31-2010, 10:52:28 PM	#3
m3freak86 JERSEY STRONG Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 16,144 In the garage: '04 BMW M3 Reputation: 0	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hT9E-BQOJk __________________ 2004 Carbon Black ///M3 (Sold) Mods and Specs My Exhaust Obsession My Journal 2013 SWP Subaru WRX Hatch WRX Journal

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 01:41:11 AM	#5
drmudryk Dr. Dan Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 218 Reputation: 0	Thanks guys. Did this and no change at all for me. I'm going to play with moving the metal latch in the door jam up or down to see if it helps. __________________ FOR SALE 2005 M3 SMG, PSS10, Borla Cat-Back, Turner Sway Bars, H&R Spacer F/R, Turner Bar links F/R, Turner camber plates, K&N Cold Air, Navigation. I have my eyes on a 2008 M5. (I have kids) http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=329255

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 02:15:47 AM	#6
neuralracing Player making Plays! Join Date: Oct 2004 Age: 37 Posts: 1,090 Reputation: 0 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico	I have to try this as people complain that they have to pull up hard on the handle to get into my car. __________________ 2002 CB on Black SMG - Dinan Stage 1 Software, Euro Rotors w/ Axxis

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 02:27:58 AM	#8
drmudryk Dr. Dan Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 218 Reputation: 0	Although the "quick fix" didn't work. I decided to play with my door jam latch. (The silver U shaped thing in the door jam). Pop off the black cover and get our your Torx set. I moved mine up and down numerous times will I found a suitable easy open and close. I think I ended up slightly down and slightly right from original, but everyone's will probably be different. If you move it too far left and right, your door will close and look like its still open or too far closed. Problem solved! __________________ FOR SALE 2005 M3 SMG, PSS10, Borla Cat-Back, Turner Sway Bars, H&R Spacer F/R, Turner Bar links F/R, Turner camber plates, K&N Cold Air, Navigation. I have my eyes on a 2008 M5. (I have kids) http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=329255

Sat, Jul-31-2010, 08:41:14 PM	#2
jhanford1 Captain Parker Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,119 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 '96 LEXUS GS 300 '70 FORD MUSTANG Reputation: 0 Location: Boca Raton	Yes, there is, with a video. Do a search.

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 01:39:36 AM	#4
Rendezvous AKA Chris22 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,464 Reputation: 0 Location: NY	The above video method worked perfect for me.

Sun, Aug-01-2010, 04:43:37 AM	#7
ImolarotII Red on Red Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,035 Reputation: 0 Location: M3 Capital of the World - Irvine, CA	lol @ the end of the video. Didn't it was that easy. Probably adjust mine tomorrow.

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 03:13:08 PM	#9
SpdFrk Dirt Magnet Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,907 In the garage: '12 HONDA CBR600RR '07 HONDA ODYSSEY '06 TOYOTA TACOMA '06 BMW M3 ZCP Reputation: 0 Location: Atlanta	I have to give this a try. Both of my doors are hard to open. Thanks for sharing. __________________ 2006 Jet Black Coupe OEM: ZCP - 6 MT - Bi-Xenon - M-Textured Alcantara/Leather Interior - Alcantara Shift & E-Brake Boots - Alcantara ZHP Shift Knob (Illuminated) - Euro Tray (Short) & First Aid Box - Alarm - iPod Interface - Lock Bolts (5 sets) Deletes: Sunroof - Armrest - Reflectors - ///M3 emblem (trunk) Performance: Zeckhausen CDV - Dinan SSK, Exhaust & Stage 2 Software - Macht Schnell Stage 1 Intake & High Performance Panel Filter Appearance: 32% FormulaOne Ceramic Tint - Aurora LED Angel Eyes - Smoked Depo Corners & Sidemarkers - Painted Keyhole Cover, Hood Grill, Kidney Grills, Side Gills, & Fog Light Rings - Black Roundels - Semi-Gloss Powdercoated ZCP Wheels Future Mods: OEM Euro Fire Extinguisher - Dinan Stage 3 Suspension Previous Rides: 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250; 1998 Acura Integra GS-R; 1989 Honda Accord DX; 1978 Chevrolet Impala; No-Name Tricycle

Mon, Aug-02-2010, 05:33:41 PM	#10
Jako1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 993 Reputation: 0 Location: North Vancouver	I tried the same and there's only so much adjustment. If it still is hard to open you need to replace the internal latch. Don't wait till the door gets to the point where you can't even open it, like I did.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode