Exterior cab door handle too stiff to open door

Hi

On my 73 bay I can't open the passenger door from the outside. The outside door handle's been a bit stiff since I bought the bus but now it just won't open the door at all. Have tried WD40 on all moving bits but made no difference. Can still open from the inside... any ideas please?

Cheers Dobber

 

Take the handle off... means taking the door card off, and undoing 2 M5 cap head bolts... but then you can check the handle properly

And use some decent penetrating oil like GT85 or duck oil 8)

 

Cheers - will try at weekend
Dobber

 

Bit of a long shot but I had this problem with my Bay I am restoring.
It was due to the door being a 68 one year only which did not have the bulge for the mechanism to move into so I had to get another door.
Shame really as the 68 door was in near perfect condition.
If it used to work then I doubt if this is the problem.

 

Thanks for reply, Scotty. Definitely worked before... havent actually had a go at repairing / cleaning yet as spent last weekend sorting out poptop and snowed in this weekend... still hoping its just a case of peoperly cleaning.
Dobber

 

I had the same problem with my van years ago and found it was friction between the lever and handle rather than a problem with the internal mechanism. It might be worth squirting some oil there using one of those bits of red tube you get with wd40 etc. if that doesn't sort it, it's time to take the door card off.

 

Thanks - will try oiling what I can before resorting to dismantling!
Dobber

 

Had the same on my bus and broke the handle, ooops. Anyhowit was the latch on the door pillar pulling the door to tight to the new door seal. This meant the door was slightly proud of the body when adjusted, but eventually the door seal rubber softened or seated better and I gradually adjusted it back.

It might not be the same problem for you, but if it is the way to check is by leaning on the outside of the door as you pull the release handle, and if it then releases, go and adjust.......... However you have probably already done the same as me and snapped off the little actuating lever, so its a new handle, or swap an actuating lever onto your old handle. Its quite simple as people have said, door card off, two allen head screws.