Door Handle Leverage

[TsherryUSA]

So this week both the Driver and Passenger Front exterior door handles are starting to go. I have to pull pretty hard to get them to open the doors. Drivers side is worse than the passenger, I can sorta grab the top of the door and get some leverage to open. Drivers feels a little loose, Passenger feels normal other than really having to pull up to get the door to open.

Before I go about replacing the handles, is there anything else y'all recommend I take a look at that could be the issue?

Thanks.

 

[swshawaii]

How to: - How To: Drivers Exterior Door Handle Replacement

Okay, just finished this project on my truck. I'd discovered that the return springs on my drivers side exterior door handle were broken, and the handle felt "limp" or "loose". I'd read a few other posts about people who'd had this same problem. Some had pulled the handle out, and replaced...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[donalds]

I would suggest to open the door and lift up on it while looking at the hinges
your hinge pins maybe worn out which is why you would have to lift up the door
if you do replace the door handle I suggest us using a metal 1
I did all 4 of mine with metal units and they are great
I did also have to replace the hinge pins

Both jobs are easy so that's nice

 

[crunchie_frog]

I just replaced three exterior door handles and the lock and the locking / latch mechanisms (part that latches door closed) Two of the three latch mechanisms failed with the door closed and it is much easier while you have the door panel off to go ahead and replace these while you are replacing the outer door handle. You may want to hold off if you feel okay about those pieces but it is not a lot of fun when the door is stuck closed and you have to pull the interior panel off and work to get it open.

 

[Turdle]

A missing striker bushing will cause door opening hang up also.

 

[TsherryUSA]

Last week my passenger door handle broke so it was time to get this repair done. Knocked it out today following the instructions in the post shared by swshawaii. Repair went smoothly. I got these handles from 1AAuto: 1999 Ford Explorer Rear Driver & Passenger Side Metal Reinforced Upgrade 2 Piece Exterior Door Handle Set TRQ DHA36585

Probably a little more expensive than the plastic ones, but feel nice and solid.

 

[Metalface]

Are they supposed to be plastic from stock? Mine are metal but I noticed my friend's 2000 sport 2 door has plastic handles.

 

[donalds]

I think they turned plastic after 1997

 

[TsherryUSA]

Next up is the door hinge bushings.