I've read the post's regarding removal of the drivers side door handle, and I thought that all I needed to do was take the screw out of the inside rear edge of the door, slide the handle forward and it would come out.
The handle would only move out about 15-20mm from the door as something else was holding it in.
I took a light and tried to look all around the edge of it to see if I could see anything else holding it, and all I could see was a wire that leads to another plug lower down on the door.

What else do I need to do to get it out? Do I need to take the inside panel off.

Thanks

BMJR

You need your key.

Once everything is loose, as you now have it, insert the key and turn. Can't remember if it has to go to 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock though. Turn it, and the inner works will move enough for the assembly to be withdrawn from the door.

Once out far enough, unplug the electrical connection for the alarm/vac pump. Be careful not to drop it back into the door as it can fall deep and be tough to fish out without removing the inner panel. Don't ask how I know.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Thanks, Mike

That did it, My key will not turn to the right so I turned it all the way to the left and it came right out.

Now the fun part of removing and repairing or replacing of the tumbler.

Thanks again

Bill

BMJR--

Been there; done that. It's a real pain replacing that lock cylinder (unless there's some trick I'm not aware of).

Anyway, if you screw-up on your first try, worry not. I have a few extra handles I picked-up cheap on eBay last year that are just gathering dust. I'd be willing to part with them at my cost should you need them.

Good luck!

__________________
Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

Hey Thanks, Goldstone

I'll keep the handles in mind.
I just finished mine up. I removed the lock cylinder, disassembled it and recut the tumblers so that it would work.

I agree, removing the unit from the handle is the worst part. It has one roll pin that goes all the way through, and another one that bottoms out in a hole. Arrgggh!
Not to mention it doesn't just fall out of there when you get the pins out.

I'll eventually buy a new set for both the door and the ignition. From what I've read the ignition switch can be a serious problem, if you can't turn it, so I just as well go ahead and get both of them.

Thanks everyone

Bill

I was "right there" this weekend. How did you get the roll pin that bottoms out in the hole out? Is there a special tool or did you drill it out?

__________________
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Yes, I drilled it almost all the way out.

Instead of drilling it the same size as the pin, I drilled it around .4mm smaller than the pin all the way to the bottom. I used a carbide drill, however HSS might work. Just be carefull not to break the drill off down in there.

Then I took a small diameter sharpened punch and drove it between the outside of the pin and the assembly. Eventually I crushed what was left of the pin inward enough that it fell out.

When I put it back together, I tapped it out for a set screw. I put a set screw in with some blue loctite, so now if I need to get it back out all I have to do is take the screw out.

Bill

Is it any different on the rear door? Im having trouble getting the cover off because it seems to be holding on by the handle.
Thanks
Dan