13 replies to this topic

[LittleMissMini]

I'm having problems fitting new door handles to my Mini. I know that the bottom of the door handle mechanism should somehow clip into the bit that's inside the door, but I can't figure it out. Here are some pictures to show you which part I'm talking about :





And advice or tips please?

[nomininolife]

there is a vertical bar floating around in your door that fits to it

[minimadjonesy]

yeah, just line it up and put some pressure on it with a long flat screwdriver. it should just pop on

[pikey7]

Yep. Theres a vertical bar there with a small crimp in the end that recieves that clip. It looks like a real to get to. maybe easier with a long pair of pliers? Coming off they're quite easy.....

[GigaDave]

I had GREAT fun trying to fit these. It turns out my sausage fingers just weren't up to the job, so my brother did it for me with a trusty pair of long nosed pliers and plenty of swearing. Be persistent! It'll work in the end...

[LittleMissMini]

OK thanks I'll give it another try tomorrow. So should that part on the bottom there that looks like a clip open up?

There is a little bent arm with a small flat plate on it, is it this plate that it should clip on to?

Thanks

[Dan]

No, the plunger pushes against the flat plate. The clip fits over the short cranked piece of wire at the bottom which the internal lock is also fitted to. Don't try to open up the clip.
This is easy, sausage fingers or not. You have to remove the door latch from the door to be able to do it really. Remove the Phillips head screws holding the latch to the door chassis and pull the latch away. Now fit the handle to the door with the screws remembering all the gaskets and washers. Now push the latch back against the door, using something like the handle of a pin hammer to hold the lock clip in place and they will go together easily. Be careful, it's easy to dent the door panel if you push against it with your hammer handle or anything else while fitting things together.

Oh, and you will have to unscrew the interior lock lever from the door to be able to move the latch away from the door. The lock, not the opening handle. Once you have it all back in, you will need to adjust the position of the interior lock plate backwards and forwards until the movement of the lock lever is about equal in the opening of the trim plate.

It's all in the workshop manual guys.

Edited by Dan, 24 April 2006 - 08:00 PM.

[ed4ran]

I have some pics i took a while ago for someone else with a similar problem.

They might help. They might not.

[LittleMissMini]

Great Thanks Dan and ed4ran

I have read the haynes manual and the restoration manual sections loads of times, and I have located the part it clips onto, just wasn't sure how it clipped on.

Tha plate I was talking about was the one attached to the cranked piece of wire. But I get it now it's the actual wire that it clips to. Think I should manage this no problems now, as I have had all the screws out and the door latch off etc. Just couldn't figure out how to attach it on and get it to stay put, as it has been so long since taking the old handles off.

[LittleMissMini]

Finally got my door handles fitted today no problems! Thanks for the help



Just a few more questions. To anyone who also has door handle scoops, what is the best way to fit them, place them underneath the handle and the gasket, or between the handle and the gasket? I tried both and I found that the scoops sat more flush to the door if they were under both the handle and the scoop. However, whichever way I place them it means that my handles do not fit as flush to the door as they would without any sccops, see pic:



Is this just something I'll have to live with?

Finally can someone tell me now that my handles are fitted how the key should work? Which way should it turn to lock and unlock and by how much etc? Just want to make sure they are doing what they should.

Thanks

[miniT]

Just had to pop outside to double check.....

.....well mine unlocks when key turned anticlockwise <, and locks when turned clockwise >.

Hope that helps!

[LittleMissMini]

Thanks I forgot to ask, should it be possible to remove the key at these positions?

What I mean is, I take it it turns one quarter of a turn to lock and one quarter of a turn to unlock, to 3 0'clock and 9 o'clock positions? Do you then need to turn the key back to 12 o'clock and remove it??

[minipip]

yes the same as any other lock it need to be reset

[Dan]

Just had to pop outside to double check.....

.....well mine unlocks when key turned anticlockwise <, and locks when turned clockwise >.

You've only tried it on one side of the car then! Drivers door by any chance? Turn to the front of the car to lock and the back of the car to unlock. And yes, back to the top to get the key out.