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Drivers door handle

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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Reedler
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Drivers door handle

Post by Reedler » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:22 pm

Hi All,

The dreaded Scottish winter has struck early :(, driver door handle was frozen this morning and my better half nearly pulled the car across the drive way trying to open it :blink:It opens fine from the inside but will not open from the outside. I read one of post by Sanj regarding the same problem(Great post with good pics too). Is this a job that many of you have tried or have you booked the car into a garage??? Also were is the best place to get a replacement.
Many Thanks
Reedler

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Sanj
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Re: Drivers door handle

Post by Sanj » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:52 pm

DIY buddy, unless you're feeling flush!

Get the part from the $tealer I'm afraid and at a hiked price of £70(ish) now.

But better than STUPID labour charges they'll add to it!

Fiddley but follow the link and you'll be fine...
Last edited by Sanj on Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Reedler
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Re: Drivers door handle

Post by Reedler » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:42 pm

Cheers Sanj, I'll visit the stealers tomorrow and give it a bash on Saturday.....Sunday......Monday :blink:

Reedler
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Re: Drivers door handle

Post by Reedler » Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:45 pm

A huge thanks to Sanj and this forum, purchased the replacement drivers door handle carrier from the stealers in Aberdeen for £75.00. Started the job at about 1pm today and followed Sanj's post which included photos and a step by step guide. The job is quite tricky but if you follow the guide there is only one or two bits you may stick on. I found getting the wires disconnected very difficult at first but once you know the way they disengage it's simple, I also had a bit of trouble with my electric windows as I took three screws out to try and get all the wires out in one go, this was a bad move as I ended up disconnecting a ribbon wire connecter inside the unit which was a nightmare to put back together once I got the door card off. The wire connectors have a kind of swivel handle that pulls backwards and forwards to engage and disengage, once you get one out they are really simple, but if you have never come across them be patient, keep trying and stay away from the three screws at the bottom of the electric window button unit. I also took the air bag out after taking out the fuse, the connecter comes completely off the bottle of the air bag, I wedged a small screwdriver against the bottle and eased it off.  I also used the same screwdriver through the side hole on the door where you take out the barrel holder bolt to help ease out the barrel itself. The coat hanger is a great idea to take off the ball joint. Patience is the main tool required for this job and keep Sanj's post close by to reference and you'll be sorted. Took me two and a half hours, but I had the door card off three times to find the fault with the electric windows. Thanks again to all who take the time to post all the help guides. Apologies I never posted any photos, but like I said stick to Sanj's guide and you won't go wrong.

Cheers

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Re: Drivers door handle

Post by Sanj » Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:37 pm

Well done mate!

Having sorted it, bet you feel great saving on the $tealer prices! :ok:
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds

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