Driver Side Door

[cocoabrova]

Originally Posted by billmaher

Thanks cocoabrova, it's helpful to know this. I'll definitely do it myself this weekend. Where did you buy the part? Do you know what gregwx5 meant by "CCA"? I would like to get a discount if there is any. Also, do we have to buy the part from the dealer or can we get it anywhere else for lower price?

Thanks Again!

NP, I'm thankful myself that this site is so informative, especially for E53 owners, which are mostly out of warranty (CPO or factory). I'm guessing CCA meant BMW Car Club of America pricing....and I myself had to buy the part at the stealership, but even with my discount (I work for a VW dealership) I still paid $120 CA for the carrier. If you can find a wrecker that'll part with one from a door assy. (they usually won't) then you could potentailly pick it up for ~$50 or so, but for a part that is known to fail, you're better off paying now for a new one instead of later....Good luck!

[illuminum]

To any prospective DIYers out there who come across this problem, my advice to you is DON'T DO IT YOURSELF. Save the time and frustration and get it done by a mechanic. I just spent over three hours dealing with this disaster in my garage. Sure, I fixed it, but three other problems came about in the process.

Now, my brake and airbag lights are lit up yellow and won't go off, the central locking button by the shifter is inoperable, and the drivers side door won't lock at all. Using the key does nothing, I can't physically push the little lever down because it feels like it's jammed. So I effectively took one step forward and three steps back.

Oh yeah, the whole experience is frustrating as hell too. The whole procedure is a pain in the ass and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't actually getting paid to do it.

So, I'll say it again. Save yourself the headache and just have someone else do it for you.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by gregwx5

WOW!!! Can I say Thank You x5world!!! I managed to fix my door handle and the problem was exactly with part #15. The actual metal structure that held one of the parts fatigued and broke off making the handle inopperable. I bought my part from the dealership..$112 but $89 with CCA


For future reference these are the steps I followed:

1) Remove door panal using instructions on main page. I disconnected my battery. You have to unbolt the airbag, but do not have to disconnect it. I just taped it to the door so it does not hang by the cable.

2) Pop off the painted trim piece that is around the key hole on the exterior of the door.

3) Pop off the black plastic oval on the side of the door. (2 pieces)

4) The hex screw (#17) that holds the carrier is located inside this hole. You will NOT see the screw by looking directly into the hole towards the front of the car. You must look into the hole as if you were looking at the side of the door (It took me a while to find this screw, just don't look into the hole directly because the screw is off to the side). The hex screw that holds the carrier screws into the lock assembly, you could see the hole from the outside. Once you find the screw remove it.

5. After removing the hex screw, the lock assembly (key hole) is lose. Gently pry out the entire assembly (the end of the shaft has a star shaped structure that presses into another piece when putting everything back together)

6. Now you could see the bolt and nut that holds the handle to part of the door carrier. The bolt has a square head. Remove this bolt.

7. Now the handle could be removed by pulling the handle up and twisting. The handle will pivot on the left side, then pull it out of the carrier.

8. Once the handle is removed, remove the rubber seal and the philips head screw (#16) holding the carrier is exposed underneath.

9. Disconnect the cable on the inside of the door. Unsnap the white plastic piece, and the metal cable with ball.

10. The old carrier could now be removed, and the install the new one using the same idea.

i follow this step above and got it done in 45 min.

[rastaFarai]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

i follow this step above and got it done in 45 min.

is there a problem if i take out the airbag? do i have to reset anything if i do??

[rastaFarai]

i cant get the outside trim peice off and get to the square bolt (#6)

[rastaFarai]

i dont think it's my carrier. it's the part that extends to the inside door handle. it is broken where it attaches to the parts close to the carrier. but what i'm replacing doesnt seem to be related to the carrier. does that cable connect to any part of the carrier?? anyone out there ever had the issue with the inside door handle going bad?

[rastaFarai]

OK - turned out it was the door actuator that the inside cable connects to. It had broken apart - so for now I just used some 5min bond epoxy - completley covered the connection. Works great. I'll need a new epoxy and a new part that connects to the interior door handle.

[Ldiggs910]

You had me dying laughing at the thought of you unlocking the car and climbing into the back seat only to climb into the front. I know how it feels. I've been working double shifts for the past 2 weeks but at the very beginning of the two weeks, my drivers inner door handle broke and then the outside handle stopped working.

I've been so embarassed getting into the passenger seat and climbing over for the past two weeks. I cant imagine how you felt, lol. Hope you got it fixed. Mine is in the shop now and the mechanic cant get the door to open to fix it...

[mrmcreynolds]

The cable on mine is still good. The clip that actually holds the cable broke near the door look. I used a hose clamp to hold the broken piece in place until I find a unit to replace it. Be careful because the instruction that I read show the handle having to come out first which is not the case on an 03.