How do you open the door from the inside with RS style door panels?

[svonkampen]

Ok.......I know ......embarrasing question.....

I'm wondering how does one open the door from the inside with RS Door Panels installed.....

Is that what that red string is for?

SvK

[}{arlequin]

um... pull the string

[svonkampen]

rrrriiiighhhhttttt

;-)

[widebody911]

The installation of RSA door panels necessitates the use of the "Bo & Luke" ingress/egress method.

[Schrup]

Isn't that Kid Rock?

[ScottKelly911]

hahaa ok, obviously you are a newbie so I will be the one to explain it to you as I have RS door panels. They are actually not just strings, they are Straps. They're about an inch wide and depending on who they're from, about 2 inches long. You simply pull on the strap and the door opens, just as if you pulled a latch. The reason for this, is to save weight. Though the actual ommission of the mechanism and latch don't save much weight, the collaborative loss of door pockets, regular door handle and opening latch does save quite a bit of weight, now multiply it by 2 for each door, you're down about 15 pounds or so.
Scott aka Mouse

[Langers]

Just don't try to close the door by pulling on the strap. You'll get extremely frustrated!!

[k9handler]

also learn to use your elbow to push on the door as you pull the strap.

[cegerer]

SvK? You have an early car don't you? If so, you need the early RS door panels, not the RS America panels with the short pull straps. Here's the early panel:

[thrown_hammer]

The early panels AKA "RS door panels" like Curts, not "RSA door panels"(with the big loop pull strap) Look much better in the early cars. IMO.

You pull the long black strap in the above pic to open the door and pull the small black handle above it to close the door.

[}{arlequin]

You pull the long black strap in the above pic to open the door and pull the small black handle above it to close the door

Except that in my case the little black handles are sheiss. Don't know what "brand" they are, but they are both broken and you either pull the door shut by the long "opener" strap (and let go quickly) or, since it's warm, with windows down it's rather easier.

Creating/installing new handles has already been scheduled as this weekend's project. (And a small "big idiot light" for the oil)

P.S. has anyone else experienced the broken door handle problem or do mine just happen to be made from the most brittle plastic ever?

[cegerer]

Those cheap-a$$ plastic handles are the same as the originals, made by Fiat. Lightweight, not durability, was the only consideration. They break easily. I've found the best way to shut the door is to pull with the plastic handle - then let go and allow the door to swing closed.

[thrown_hammer]

Originally posted by }{arlequin

P.S. has anyone else experienced the broken door handle problem or do mine just happen to be made from the most brittle plastic ever?

I got mine from AppBiz. The first time I shut my door the handle came off in pieces. A new handle was sent no questions asked. No problems since. When I inspected the broken handle it was full of air bubbles. So I believe it was just a faulty handle.

[}{arlequin]

I haven't taken the door apart yet, but to make the handles and attachments bulletproof, I will. Is there anything tricky to removing the panels or is the procedure as simple as it *appears*? (I've done the search, read someone's informative 912 website etc, don't remember anything unusual in the procedure, just trying to verify.) Also, are the handles attached to some bracket on the inside or are they just simply screwed into the panels?

-sorry for the hijack

[thrown_hammer]

Removal would be pretty straight forward. The appbiz handles are anchored thru the panel and into the door.

[}{arlequin]

thank you

[MikeSid]

My RS strap on the passenger side pulled out at the forward mounting screw. Passengers tend to pull toward themselves as opposed to toward the front of the car which makes pulling the screw out pretty easy.

Do you guys mount the strap screws to the panel or completely into the metal door frame?

[thrown_hammer]

The strap screws into a factory bolt hole location on the door with my panels.

[MikeSid]

Thanks. I haven't bothered to take it off to get a good look. The PO installed these and it looks like he used drywall screws.

[Flying Toaster]

Originally posted by MikeSid
... The PO installed these and it looks like he used drywall screws.

heh.. probably the same guy that installed my headlight bezels, 3" deck screws!