Anyone try putting in a few spacers at the end of the exterior handle cable where it connects to the door mechanism as opposed to buying an entire door handle? Im thinking the cable has just stretched and needs to be made more taught.

 

I was having some issues getting my drivers handle to open the doors from the outside. When I took the door panel off to replace the speakers, I had the exact same thought. I used a really thin rubber washer. When I closed the door I could not get it open. I spent about 4 hours trying to get it open, Got so frustrated I even put a pry bar in the door jamb and tried to pry the door open, adding a dent and scratches to the door jamb . Ended up having to try and get the door panel off with the door closed, enough to get my hands in at the latch and unhook the cable, 100% not a fun time. Once I really looked at it I realized the latch was ever so slightly loose, and if I remember correctly you can loosen the bolts/nuts and turn it slightly. If the cable is actually stretched you could try clocking the latch just a little bit, or just replace the handle.

 

oh wow thank for letting me know. maybe the cable isn't stretching but rather some other parts inside the handle.

The latch was loose? Can you point me to which latch youre referring to?

 

If I remember correctly it was the mechanism that the cable attaches to in that picture. I think the arm was a little loose, and the whole assembly needed to be tightened. It wasn't falling off or anything, but just loose enough that when you pulled on the doo handle, it cause the whole thing to shift ever so slightly.

 

ok cool. Maybe I will see if its loose and tighten down before I order a $100 door handle.

Thanks for the tip!