I replaced my outer door handles and now I can't get my doors to open!

[matt351]

I just replaced both driver's side outer door handles and now I can't get either door to open up from the outside. Is there some sort of adjustment that I'm not seeing here? I've tried every conceivable position for the rod inside of the yellow clip. Moved it up, door wouldn't open. Moved it down, door wouldn't open. Put it in the center, door wouldn't open... I swear I'm at my wits end with this truck!

 

[koda2000]

The door handles work by pulling (maybe pushing) on a metal rod that is connected to the door latch. The rod is attached with a yellow plastic clip. The clip is adjusted by moving up or down on the rod. Moving it one way will make the handle pull on the rod more, the other direction will make the handle pull on the rod less. The rod has a teeth-like section that the clip locks on to. You should have taken notice of where it was attached before you removed the old handles and put it back in the same place. The rod has a hook on the end than fits into a hole on the door handle. Nothing holds the rod to the door handle (other than the hooked end).

Make sure the rod(s) are still connected to the latch mechanism. I've replaced quite a few door handles and never had a problem afterwards.

 

[swshawaii]

I've tried every conceivable position for the rod inside of the yellow clip. Moved it up, door wouldn't open. Moved it down, door wouldn't open. Put it in the center, door wouldn't open.

EITHER door? As Koda mentioned above, are the "door latch hooks" attached to the hole in the handles? (Third pic below)

How To: Drivers Exterior Door Handle Replacement
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165081