Door/lock problem

[naxel86]

I have a '98XLT. Just recently the handle on the drivers door has been hard to open when leaving the vehicle. This is because it is locked. However, it used to unlock and open the door at the same time without problems. If I unlock the door, it opens fine. I would like it to be back to how it used to be. Does anyone know whats wrong with the door/locking mechanism?

 

[slpdave]

The inside handle will get hard to open the door with just as a spring in the latch assembly either stretches or breaks. this is a common problem with the latch assembly after a few years of use (it happens to the drivers door because it is the most used door in the vehicle). There are lots of threads on this.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1627200#post1627200

this is a thread I was in recently with my problem.

David