1993 TransSport 3.8L
These door mechanisms are a poor quality design. I replaced the broken door handles (left and right) with low priced after market units. They broke again shortly thereafter. They broke because the door latch mechanisms inside the door are faulty and worn; people were pulling and forcing the handles past the limits because the latch was not actuating within the proper travel anymore.
Most all of the parts at the wreckers were in the same useless condition. The dealer wanted $250 a side for new latch mechanisms; $500 for 2 latch mechanisms!!
-I took the door panels off.
-I replaced the broken door handles again.
-I drilled the latch release lever; the one that push rod was intended to control. The drilled hole was the size which will accept a sturdy bicycle brake cable.
-Thread the bicycle cable through the drilled hole; a knot is tied in the cable to act as a stop. There might be some other way to attach the cable down there but drilling was what I thought of.
-I routed the cable up and out of the existing holes in the new door handle plates.
-I coiled the excess cable to make a loop, and black taped the loop up real good. You can instead, fashion a loop out of windshield washer hose or something if you like.
-Don't just pull the door open using the loop or it will wear out too soon; pull easy on the door handle, and then pull the loop. Throw a little gob a grease, if you like, where the cable rubs. The door latches work foolproof.
Some people think I'm nuts but I made $500 with a piece of bicycle brake cable, plus no more nasty handles and overpriced mechanisms to buy from the dealer.
If this thread helps you, please click me my very first 'Thanked'
