Oval window Door mechanism

[eliacona]

I have a 56 beetle and on the passenger side I can not open the door with the outside handle. I am able to open it from the inside handle. I experimented by gluing (epoxy) a piece of sheet metal onto a spare handle, thinking it would push the rod of the mechanism inward, enough to open the door, it does nothing.
What could be the problem, and what can be done?
Thanks for any help

[billb]

I'm curious about this also. I ordered new handles from Wolfsburg West and after using the passenger handle several times it stopped opening from the outside. When I loosened the handle I could hear the button pop back over the lever inside. I haven't had time to troubleshoot further but think you may be having a similar issue.

[EVfun]

Can you open the door from the outside with the handle removed by pushing the rod you see in that picture? I guess step one is trying to determine if it is a handle issue or latch issue.

I've thought about epoxying a thin layer of stainless steel sheet (perhaps 20 or 30 thou) inside my drivers door handle because the latch action is pretty late in the pull and there is some visible wear when looking at the inside of the outside door handle. Nickel on steel would also have a little less friction than steel on steel. Oh, a thin layer of thick grease right where the pin rubs would help reduce wear too.
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[ZENVWDRIVER]

... yes, i'd remove the outer handle and try pushing the actuating pin in, to see if the door opened from the outside. Then i'd remove the driver outside handle and install it on the passenger door and try to open it again. I think, you'll know exactly what's wrong at this point.

I never bought directly from WW. I like to order good, original used parts from thesamba classifieds instead.

I have several spares as well, just in case of situations, like this.
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[billb]

[eliacona]

Thanks for your thoughts guys,
I did try and push in the door latch pin/post, and with enough force to open it from the outside, and it does not open.
The only way I can open my passenger door is by reaching in to pull the inside handle and at the same time, pull the outside (icepick) handle, which is frustrating,when you ask your kids or wife along for a ride.
By the way, The passenger side outside handle is not from Wolfsburg west, it is a used one.
I sure would like to know why this pass. lock mechanism is behaving this way.
With all the old VW's still around, I would think there are many that have had this problem.

Thanks for any help or thoughts.

[EVfun]

You are probably at the point where you will have to pull the latch assembly out and take a look at it. When you can see all that happens as the rod is moved vs. when the button is pushed it should become clear what isn't right. It does not seem to be a common problem.
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[57BLITZ]

[austin haro]

The problem is the door lock mechanism, the pushrod has a small spring that some times is worn or broken. When the spring does not return fully the pushrod , the internal mechanism does not liberate the lock, although you believe it was released and the pushrod is outside , it was not. So you cannot open from the outside , as this controls the outside lock , you cannot open from outside even the lock is released in the inside . .Gluing some metal is not going to help. It is frustrating because sometimes it is liberated and sometimes not. I have used Wolfburg West door lock mechanisms and handles , and they work fine, hope this will help you. Take your time the perfect adjustment is not only bolt on, even having the right parts.

[billb]

I had been having problems with my passenger door not opening from the outside. The pin was slipping under the handle. If I take the handle off the pin pops back into the right position and will open the door again once the handle is screwed back on.

Now my drivers door will not open from either inside or outside. I heard the pin spring out and make a ping sound like it had released completely. But now I believe it has also slid under the handle press. I've tried moving both the inside and outside handles at the same time and I think the pin on that one has moved to where it will not open at all.

Any suggestions on how to get the door open when neither handle is opening the door?

I never had any problems when I had the stock handles on. After the car was painted it was reassembled with new aftermarket Wolfsburg West handles because my original handles had pitted chrome. I started another thread regarding chrome repair but this thread seemed more appropriate for door mechanism questions.

[billb]

I finally figured out what the problem was with my doors not opening. The door strikers needed to be adjusted. The inside handle brings the door release up higher than the outside handle does. When opening from the outside it wasn't lifting enough to open the door. The door closes and opens much more easily now that the strikers have been adjusted. One had come loose and moved up some to where the door wouldn't open. I suspect it wiggled loose after driving around after the car had been reassembled after paint. The drivers side door wasn't opening from either the inside or outside. I had to roll down the window then pull both handles and up on the door at the same time to get the door release to clear the striker. Hopefully this will help someone else that has the same issue.