driver's door handle problem
 

My driver's side outside handle is very difficult to work. I have to pull and yank on it to get the door to open and then its difficult. The inside lever works just fine. So, the outside handle needs adjustment. Well, on my '87 944, the window channel blocks messing with the mechanism for the handle. The Clark's garage procedure says you can disengage the shaft that pushes the catch but I can't get it loose. Also, there is a small white plastic "dealey" that appears to want to clip on a nub but it keeps coming loose (I may need a new one of these).

Anyway, have any of you had any more luck with this procedure and can you give advice? As usual, thanks in advance.

door handles
 

you just have to fight it.

the white plastic thingy is for the door lock.

i've replaced/adjusted the driver side handle and the passenger side didn't open from the outside when i got the car.
wd40 looking at the pics at clarks and other sites+ the haynes manual showed the way.

do it with the window up.

have fun.SmileWavy

Hey Bearone2--thanks for the reply!

Maybe the following will help someone else: I figured out what I had to do. Now this is in reference to an '87 model 944 n/a with power windows. First I had to take off the interior panel. Just a bunch of screws. Then remove water barrier. Back by the lock mechanism there was a "plate" which I assume is an antitheft thing that I had to remove held on by 3 10mm screw/bolts. I was initially stymied because the window track is in the way of the handle guts. I finally figured out that the track is held in with one 10mm screw/bolt at the bottom of the track inside the door cavity. With that screw out, you just pull the whole track out and through the big hole in the door. WINDOW SHOULD BE UP!!. Now, voila, you can see the handle guts, remove the plastic dealey that frictions over a nub. Now the handle will come out by removing a single screw and pushing toward the front of the car. Do you adjustment, it took 6 turns to lengthen the thing enough for the handle to work again. Then replace window channel, security plate, and the rest of the stuff. Now that I know what to do it might take 30 to 45 minutes to do this operation. As it was, it probably took me 4 hours total to stumble through it. Anyway, hope it helps the next guy. Cheers!

Interesting, when i replaced mine a week ago, that stupid track was secured at the top as well....at least i think it was as i couldnt get it loose. I had the door apart though to replace the inner cable for the inner door handle. I ended up fighting it the hard way, but eventually it all went back together.

Just took a stab at the door handle. The window must be down to slide out security plate. Then put window back up to access handle hardware. No need to loosen window