Getting a handle on this...

[sharrar]

Following a nice drive this morning I noticed my driver side handle is detaching slightly (on the left side) from the body, Luckily the lock still works and by pressing the handle in and pulling the door from the top of the frame I can open the car. Not ideal though! I'm going to leave the passenger side unlocked just in case...

Here's the pic below, it looks like the black plastic circled in picture has cracked. Would it be right that araldite is the way to go initially?

Assuming a decent repair is it then straightforward to access the screw from the inside of the door card to re-secure the handle?

A run through of the steps and any gotchas would be highly appreciated.



Thanks

[amarshall]

Yup - that's where they all fail. Removal is straightforward with the door card off. One screw at the rear, one at the front and two rod clips to pop off. If you have a very late model, you may also have the pin through the metal backing/surround plate.

Araldite is a temporary repair at best - it doesn't stick to the plastic that well and the metal insert for the screw will inevitably pull out again.

Photos of handle, and other bits of lock/latch actuator mechanisms in this thread: http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... =8&t=10072

A more permanent solution is in the works...

[sharrar]

Thanks Angus for the fast response! I hadn't found that thread and there are some really helpful pictures. So you'd reckon a new handle is the best way to proceed? I saw Lotus bits have them listed at £35 which is not too bad. Just an additional question when removing the rod clips presumably there's no danger of anything falling into the door? The mechanism should stay in place ready for the rods to be re-attached?

Also just re the lock. In transplanting this to the new handle is it removed via the nut highlighted below? Is it fairly easy to remove and reinstall?



Cheers again!

[amarshall]

As long as the clips aren't damaged, they're captive in the handle. They should just rotate to release the rods. You can see both of them (the white and dark red things) in the photo you've quoted above.

Yes - that one setscrew holds the lock to the handle. It doesn't need to be removed to get the handle off, but does need to be undone to move the lock to a new handle.

[sharrar]

Angus, thanks very much, Brilliant assistance as usual.