outside door handle stuck

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by mysweetx5

Yeah I'm glad that you got your door handle to work perfectly
but from a cheaper way, that's why a lot of people don't know
and everyday got robbed @ the stealership from buying every
single parts there.

I was having the same problem with my door handle, but got one
off ebay for: $50 dollars, the same mechanism part that you bought.
I fixed it myself and it's been nearly 2yrs now, I never have any problem since. But I bet if you go to the stealer now, this mechanism part would
cost tripple that price without labor.



01 X5 4.4i

About $98, on ECS tuning. Maybe cheaper elsewhere. OE BMW, as in the part that lasted 8 years. Let us know how long this lasts. Just curious.

[jgold47]

not to sound terribly stupid but when ordering, left side = drivers side in the US? Not sure why I am blanking?

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by jgold47

not to sound terribly stupid but when ordering, left side = drivers side in the US? Not sure why I am blanking?

Yes; driver's side = left side.
Passenger side = right side.

[SlickGT1]

It is always as if you sit behind the steering wheel. So picture yourself inside car, and left is driver side, right is pass side.

[jgold47]

thanks - I've read the write ups. Any advice? I'll be doing this theoretically in the dark after work thursday. Should take about an hour or so right?

I've done window regulators on the E46, this seems about the same level of difficulty.

Also, when I disassemble the old carrier, what specifically breaks that causes this?

[SlickGT1]

Not sure exactly. I have never had the pleasure of doing this on the X. If it was my first time. I would allot a bit more than an hour. Getting that foam off the inside of the door will be a pain in the ass. Get yourself duct tape for when you rip it, and want to put it back. Or get a razor blade, and pull back that foam, while trying to cut the adhesive. It will stick back onto to itself so don't worry. Just taking that shit off will piss you off and most likely take most of your time.

Everything else is a function of having the right tools. As long as you have a decent set of tools, it looks like the job is very straight forward.

[jgold47]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Getting that foam off the inside of the door will be a pain in the ass. Get yourself duct tape for when you rip it, and want to put it back. Or get a razor blade, and pull back that foam, while trying to cut the adhesive. It will stick back onto to itself so don't worry. Just taking that shit off will piss you off and most likely take most of your time.

I will make that foam my bitch. I had the doors off the e46 umpteen times between speakers and 3 window regulator fixes. since this is a classy car, I may even get a tube of acoustic sealant and even repair the goop instead of just shoving it back on. Especially if its cold.

[jgold47]

All done. Took about 90 minutes. Had a few problems getting the new carrier lined up right. Still not sure it's right but I gave up. There is a gap between the Handle and the cylender that wasn't there before. Used a uro part. Otherwise straight forward. Physically hardest part was getting the cable in its clamp.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by jgold47

All done. Took about 90 minutes. Had a few problems getting the new carrier lined up right. Still not sure it's right but I gave up. There is a gap between the Handle and the cylender that wasn't there before. Used a uro part. Otherwise straight forward. Physically hardest part was getting the cable in its clamp.

Yea I hear people having that gap with aftermarket carriers. Some have more luck than others, but if you go back at it, you might make it better. Only OE seems to line up right away.

[GS416]

I have joined the "broken door carrier" ranks. Just curious, does anyone have any idea of what type of time frame we're roughly talking about in regards to the indoor latch being inoperable as well? My outside latch went about 2 weeks ago and I'm really not going to have the free time to address this for probably another week or so. BTW, great post, great forum. Thanks in advance.