Hello:

I am so sorry to be asking so many questions. My rear suspension will soon be sorted.

Next up are the rear outer door handles. They just do not work, and I have to open the rear doors from the inside.

My adventure began when I inadvertently left the child lock engaged on the one door. (yes, I was messing with it, LOL). So then I was unable to open the door, inside or out. Doh!! So I popped off the rear seat bottom cushion, and was actually able to pop the door card to access the lock mechanism. But it took me a while to figure out that to trip the door open, I had to use the same lever as used by the rear door handle. Once I figured out what was going on, I just stuck my hand in the door, and flipped the latch manually.

So now both doors are open and the door cards have been removed.

My question: My rear outer door handle set-up employs a rod with a "turnbuckle" adjustment piece and a lock-nut. So how do I get a wrench in there to adjust? Do I have to remove the door handle?

Thanks so much.

 

You don't actually have to use a wrench, (at least not on my car, a 94) - there's a nylon clip than "unlocks" the rod and when "unlocked" the rod length can be adjusted, but bear in mind a little goes a long way if you are trying to adjust the outer handle travel.

The rod adjustment system "as-is", works, but has a tendency to slip out of adjustment requiring greater and greater outer handle travel, usually resulting in the handle going past a point when it can open the door and you end up with a snapped handle. This is a very common issue with these cars and just about every owner has had to deal with a snapped handle or two, I know I have.

Fortunately forum member @katar83 came up with a solution that can stop the rod adjuster from slipping and prevent broken handles. He adds a small nut to the rod above the nylon adjustment block so that the rod cannot push further down and increase handle travel.

If you search the forum you'll find the thread about the modification. I think the thread has a bunch of clear photos and how-to's in it. BTW, if you add the small nut to the rod your door handles should never need adjusting or break again.

Larry

ok I found the thread, here you go

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...stment-211963/

 

I already checked that thread. Must be for a later version. Here is what I have:

 

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the photo - that helps remind us what the early car linkage looked like. If you can't get two small wrenches in there to get the lock nut loosened, you may need to loosen or remove the outer handle so you can disconnect the rod to adjust it. A pair of small open-ended wrenches may get the job done, but you may have to work blind to do it.

There are just two nuts that secure the outer door handle. They thread onto studs that are cast into the handle and pull the handle to the body by way of a spring-steel bracket. Here are representative diagrams of the outer door handle and inner linkage. You can view diagrams like these at jaguarlandroverclassicparts.com.




Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks, Don!

 

Problem solved!

The lock nut is 7mm. Use a pair of needle-nose vice-grips (mole grips in English?) to hold the barrel. Undo the lock nut with the 7mm. Then spin the barrel until it can just open the door. If you go too far, the latch will not engage. Don't panic. Just spin it back a few turns until it works as intended. Feel free to message me if you need help. I could walk you right through it.