I have an '04 Discovery and I'm having a little trouble with the driver's door. To open it from the outside, I have to either pull hard or pull the handle with a normal amount of force and then push the door in and it will pop open. If I use the interior door handle, the door opens fine.

I figure this means that the problem is with the exterior handle or the linkage to the lock mechanism but figured I'd see if anyone had any experience with this sort of issue before I go taking apart my door. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks
Eamon

 

I have the exact same issue with my '04.
I've developed a bit of a technique for opening it, I still laugh watching others try and open it. Instead of just pulling the door handle out with my fingers, I place my thumb on the stationary part of the handle (near the key hole where it doesn't move) and apply opposing force with my thumb and fingers to actuate the door handle. It works better than just pulling outward on the handle.

I'm still unsure what's causing this, I've tried moving the adjustable striker up and down slightly which only caused issues closing the door, rendering the issue worse.

I just assumed I'll have to replace the door handle mechanism...
Given the established reliability of the Lock & Window Actuators I wasn't surprised to have issues with the door handle.

This kinda thing makes me very curious how the engineers could have possibly designed such faulty systems in the doors... I mean seriously, I've heard of guys needing to change out window actuators 3 times before hitting 100K, meanwhile my RAM 1500 (which I've beat the HELL OUT OF) has 229,000 and the power EVERYTHING still works fine.

I know they're not comparable vehicles, but c'mon! It's a freaking door! You'd think they'd get it right after so many damn years of making vehicles.

 

+1 Actually, +1,000,000

I just had a door mechanism stop working. Won't open from inside OR outside. I've pulled the inner panel, but still cannot find a way to make the latch release! Frustrating is not even the word for it.

If I ran into the engineer that designed these locks, I'd take one of those large Cartoon Hammers and hit him over the head with it.

 

I have 03 disco se7 and my door is doing the same thing. so has anybody figured out a fix to this problem?


the inside door handle was doing this to me as well but I fixed that by wd40 to the cable after ripping off the door panel to fix the window regulator.


while I have the panel off I want to fix the outside door handle too so any help would be great

 

There is a linkage that connects at the outer door handle. Straight piece of linkage that comes up vertically and connects to the handle. The lower part connects to the mechanism/actuator has a small white fitting that is threaded.

Detach the linkage at the handle and turn this linkage clockwise/tightening to take up the slack, a few revolutions at a time. Re attach and test again. Keep going until it opens as it should.

 

Thanks!!! I will be trying that by the weekend.

 

Sweet. I'll be fiddling with this also.

And to those "why can't the engineers make a door work after 11 years like it did in the show room."

Pffft.

 

Also, turning the linkage seems like it won't go all the way because you get a little hung up on other things in the door, but just be patient and pivot the rod a little. The threaded connector actually pivots towards front and back of vehicle. Once you get it to turn once, you will have the technique.

 

Alot to be said for the lack of lubrication and adjustment.

 

Just finished adjusting my front two doors. Easy.

Take door card off. About 7 screws and a big flat screwdriver. Unclip speaker wire.

Small slice through plastic moisture barrier.

Here is the rod with the screw thread on one end. The other end is what needs unclipping.



This is the top end. Same level as the handle outside.



Can't see in this photo, but there is a swiveling plastic clip which holds the rod in the hole. It needs teasing off the rod. It's a bit tricky and in doing mine the whole thing just came off. I think I'm a bit lucky not to snap the plastic bit. It's quite hot out though, so that might have been in my favour.

What it should look like when it's swiveled round.



Now the rod just falls out of the hole.

Turn the rod, as Abran was saying, which ever way it needs to go to adjust. The rod pushes down, so mine had to unscrew, to get more 'push', earlier in the handles movement. They obviously come fully adjusted the other way. So it's great this is as it is.

I undid mine about 5 threads.



Put it all back together. To get the top back together. Put the plastic thing in the hole. Swivel the clip so the rod can go in. Swivel the plastic thing so it clips the rod again. As mine just fell out, I scratched my head about this for a while.

Easy peasy. Both doors adjusted and operating great in about 1 hour. First one 40 mins. Second one 20!

Oh, whatever you do remember to reclip the speaker wire. That would be really annoying to get it all back together, think you've finished, then have to take the door card off again!!

Thanks for the tips Abran......