Driver door handle sticking!

[spinaltap]

Recently something (possibly a spring) went in the inside driver door handle on my '99 A4, so now when I open it the handle doesn't spring back into the door. Has this happened to anyone before and how long did it take to fix/how much?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[jdp1962]

[ QUOTE ]
Recently something (possibly a spring) went in the inside driver door handle on my '99 A4, so now when I open it the handle doesn't spring back into the door. Has this happened to anyone before and how long did it take to fix/how much?

Thanks,

Nick

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly the same thing happened to me. If you remove the door card, you'll see that the interior door handle pivots on a spindle, and has a tension-spring that makes it retract smoothly. The spring breaks, so the handle no longer automatically retracts.

I don't know if you can buy the spring on its own. I managed to get one from our fellow member, Docurley last year, but never quite figured out how to fit it without breaking something else (I am legendary for being a sausage-fingered ******).

So, it's on the list of jobs I've asked my garage to do this week while the car's in for service and MOT. (see "Empty Driveway" thread). It'll probably cost me an hour or so's labour, but is probably still cheaper than buying a complete door handle & tweeter housing assembly all in one.

 

[albgut1]

Mine has been like this for a while also.

 

[jdp1962]

Update from my garage. When they tried to fit the spring, the spindle snapped & they've had to order a complete new door handle & tweeter assembly (the very outcome I'd hoped to avoid by asking them to do it).

Incredibly enough, though,the cost of the assembly, which includes the spring, is only £18, though, so my advice to anyone with this problem is just get a new assembly.

 

[rasA4]

ive had the same this happen to mine about two years ago..i was going to take the spring out from the rear handle which dontget used often, still havent got round to doing it, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif
someone else posted this question a while ago ive told them on this forum the same thing i dont know how they got on?
good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jdp1962]

[ QUOTE ]
ive had the same this happen to mine about two years ago..i was going to take the spring out from the rear handle which dontget used often, still havent got round to doing it, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif
someone else posted this question a while ago ive told them on this forum the same thing i dont know how they got on?
good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't bother. For the sake of £18, get a new assembly.

 

[rasA4]

yea i think your right jeff esp if the other spring breaks as well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jdp1962]

I wish I'd known how cheap they were before now.

 

[spinaltap]

I'm happy getting a new enclosure if it's only £18 but would never try fitting it myself. And I guess that if I went to Lancaster Audi they would charge a fortune to fit it. I haven't found any independent Audi specialists in South Manchester so would just be going to local independent (non-Audi) garage.

So what's the part number for the enclosure and how easliy/quickly should they be able to get it? How long would you expect to fit it including taking door apart and back together?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[jdp1962]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm happy getting a new enclosure if it's only £18 but would never try fitting it myself. And I guess that if I went to Lancaster Audi they would charge a fortune to fit it. I haven't found any independent Audi specialists in South Manchester so would just be going to local independent (non-Audi) garage.

So what's the part number for the enclosure and how easliy/quickly should they be able to get it? How long would you expect to fit it including taking door apart and back together?

Thanks,

Nick

[/ QUOTE ]

I should be able to give you the part number later, as I've got the box my new one came in somwhere in the shed. My indie was able to order & get it from the dealer within 48 hours. Fitting it really is not very difficult. Trust me. If I can do it, anyone can.

The fiddliest part is removing the door card. That's just a case of removing a number of screws (including one or two concealed behind a trim part on the grab handle), and then gently raising the card until it's clear of the locking pin.

Ease it clear of the door, & working on the back of it, unclip the door release cable from the handle assembly. You might need to disconnect the connector plugs for the speakers & mirror adjusters to get enough clearance. Then, unscrew the assembly itself from the card, and disconnect the connector plugs for the central locking switch & tweeter.

After that, refitting is a reversal of removal, as they say in the Halfords manual.

i'll get you that part no. tonight

 

[Broken Byzan]

If all else fails i have an earlier model handle here you can have and steal the spring from it

 

[jdp1962]

[ QUOTE ]
If all else fails i have an earlier model handle here you can have and steal the spring from it

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't go there! Getting the spring off is easy, getting it on again in the stuff of nightmares!

The part number is 8D2 837 020 A 1EJ