Drivers outside door handle jambed - won't open

[ffffanman]

I went to open my door from outside last week and the door handle slightly moved and then jammed and I heard what sounded like a screw falling onto light metal.
I went to the other door and reached across the inside and pulled on the inside handle and the drivers door opened. This still is the only way to open the drivers door.
On the ground was the little machine screw as pictured.
It looks like I have to dig into this door to solve the problem.
Does anyone have an easy fix that they have done with this problem before.
I just hate dealing with door panels and stuff.
Simpler the better for me.
I can't see this screw in the manual at all.
I should have addressed this months ago, since it was then that I now recall that I was getting like a double click as I slowly pulled open on that outside handle. Obviously it was this screw that was backing out slowly and over time caught me in the butt.
Thanks for any advice or photos to help me.
Trev

 

[ffffanman]

Ok, now I really need help.
I took the door panel off Saturday aft and found where the screw went but don't know how to get to it. Attached are the pics showing where that machine screw backed out of and without it in place the outside flipper door handle thingy would rotate more than like 20 degrees and the linkage jambs.
Thanks for looking
Trev
p.s. I do have scratches on my hands to prove I did this myself.

 

[ffffanman]

Ok, just found these two parts breakdown photos.
Looks like the outside door handle (12/21) assembly will come straight up if I take out that large stud (12) in the window rail upright.
yes? no?
Trev

 

[rbirling]

Ok, just found these two parts breakdown photos.
Looks like the outside door handle (12/21) assembly will come straight up if I take out that large stud (12) in the window rail upright.
yes? no?
Trev

No. If you can see the bent arm that goes down from the outside handle unit -- it goes into a slot in the actual latch mechanism. It has a couple of snap-on plastic washers and/or a metal washer. It is a BEAR to get out, and a BIGGER BEAR to get back in. Guess how I know? Perhaps someone can tell the trick of getting it back in, but I just got mine put back in after about 4 years of not working.

If you have the door panel off, you can see this connection by moving the outside handle and looking in the door from the inside toward the latch (if it moves). But you can't get more than one hand or a few fingers on it.

Oh, and you'll probably need the new washer things. I think they're shown on the door latch assembly page.

 

[ffffanman]

Ah, I found some pictures to help.
Just talked to Ravi, he said I might have to take out the whole window assembly and top rail and what not to get this done.
I sure hope not.
The main problem is pulling out the rod that drops down out of the plastic round clip that it clips in to, He says they like to break!!!
yikes.
Well, i'll go slow and see what happens.
Trev

 

[ffffanman]

I got it!
Was able to sneak it up enough without undoing the lift rod!
Works like a dream!
Was able to lube everything up, including the window tracks.
Trev

 

[rbirling]

I got it!
Was able to sneak it up enough without undoing the lift rod!
Works like a dream!
Was able to lube everything up, including the window tracks.
Trev

That's good news. Congrats.

 

[ffffanman]

Yes, hopefully this will help others as well.
I had another machine screw coming loose as well, the one that is hidden under a plastic plug, you can't even tell its there the plug is so nice, problem is the plug gets distroyed when you remove it.
Trev

 

[Cozmo]

I always figured you had a screw loose, but now we have photographic proof! :wink:

 

[Big_D]

I always figured you had a screw loose, but now we have photographic proof! :wink:

LOL...Do you SLAM your door alot Trev?

 

[ffffanman]

Oh, Ok, now that I have this task done, The True Nutz come out!
lol.
The car has lots of miles (km's) on it sir.
I am the 4th owner and its my summer daily driver for, Yikes....6 years.
Could this be true...
Trev