Broken Outside Door Handle Fix

[Ldiggs910]

Thanks guys for the writeup! Had a front passenger door carrier that failed. Fair warning to anyone reading this: Once I got the carrier assembly and the handle in/on, I closed the door to make sure everything was in working order.

With the window switch unplugged, I could NOT get the door back open and I couldn't figure out why for a very long time and daylight was fading. But once I figured out that plugging the unit back in (AND ALL THREE CONNECTORS MUST BE PLUGGED IN), the rest of the repair went pretty quickly.

FYI I sourced my part on ebay for $85 shipped from ebay seller bmaautoparts. The part arrived in less than 3 days. I'm not sure if I just didn't do the install properly or if the part just needs time to loosen up and get acclimated to the door but upon completion of the installation, the handle when pulled and then released came to rest about 2mm above being flush with the rest of the door handle. But it can be easily pushed down to be flush and I suspect it is probably just a very tight part that will loosen with time and use.

[Russianblue]

Both of my safety wire fixes are still holding. I will admit, neither handle feels as 'solid' as the original and you can tell that there is a tiny bit of play in the mechanical action, but they are still holding up perfectly well. Whatever the case, if i can delay $200-$300 of expenditures for another year or so i am perfectly happy.

BTW, you guys who have broken door carriers and other parts needs for that matter, shoot an email to brian.scroggins at bmw of chattanooga dot com. formerly known as 'dapartspimp' on mye28.com, he quoted me $89.75 for a new carrier AFTER i had replaced mine. it was apparently on sale, but tell him you are from xoutpost and that Russianblue sent you and he'll probably cut you a 20-25% discount on just about anything. also, shipping is usually included in the price or EXTREMELY inexpensive.

for example, he got me a new OEM DISA valve for $168 shipped and it arrived in 2 days. that's an AWESOME price.

here is the quote he gave me for a number of parts. some of the prices are awesome, some are just typical. these are all OEM BMW parts from BMW chatt.
LIST price on the left, BMW chatt price on the right.
51-22-8-243-635 CARRIER, 808E 0 167.54 89.75
31-12-6-760-275 WISHBONE, 0 262.69 192.38
31-12-6-760-276 RIGHT WIS 0 262.69 192.38
31-12-6-756-491 WHEEL SUS 809C 0 117.93 52.03
32-10-6-774-335 BALL JOIN S/O 0 156.84 57.66
31-35-6-750-703 LEFT SWIN S/O 0 82.71 34.46
31-35-6-750-704 RIGHT SWI S/O 0 82.71 34.46
31-31-6-764-603 LEFT FRON S/O 0 395.11 289.35
31-31-6-764-604 FRONT RIG S/O 0 395.11 289.35
31-35-1-097-021 STABILIZE 0 61.71 19.64
51-41-8-224-781 CLIP WITH 923G 42 3.03 0.58
51-14-7-008-538 EMBLEM AD 0 40.15 17.78

[Russianblue]

btw, the handle not sitting flush is exactly what my homebrew fixes do. if i am not mistaken it means the carrier is ever so slightly misaligned. however, i could be wrong.

in my case, that is due somewhat to the mechanical play that remains. but even if that were not the case, it's hard as hell to get that thing lined up properly with the correct tightness on the screws etc etc and with the little rubber/plastic seal things not blocking the action. this is a super tricky repair to get exactly right. at least among the stuff i have done.

[rrgroup]

i think i have the same problem with mrbmwx5. only, mine is front passenger. lock doesnt work anymore. have to open it manually. but when it's unlocked, i can lock it using the remote. where can i find a good, cheap actuator? thanks.

[ecproductions143]

Originally Posted by Russianblue

Both of my safety wire fixes are still holding. I will admit, neither handle feels as 'solid' as the original and you can tell that there is a tiny bit of play in the mechanical action, but they are still holding up perfectly well. Whatever the case, if i can delay $200-$300 of expenditures for another year or so i am perfectly happy.

BTW, you guys who have broken door carriers and other parts needs for that matter, shoot an email to brian.scroggins at bmw of chattanooga dot com. formerly known as 'dapartspimp' on mye28.com, he quoted me $89.75 for a new carrier AFTER i had replaced mine. it was apparently on sale, but tell him you are from xoutpost and that Russianblue sent you and he'll probably cut you a 20-25% discount on just about anything. also, shipping is usually included in the price or EXTREMELY inexpensive.

for example, he got me a new OEM DISA valve for $168 shipped and it arrived in 2 days. that's an AWESOME price.

here is the quote he gave me for a number of parts. some of the prices are awesome, some are just typical. these are all OEM BMW parts from BMW chatt.
LIST price on the left, BMW chatt price on the right.
51-22-8-243-635 CARRIER, 808E 0 167.54 89.75
31-12-6-760-275 WISHBONE, 0 262.69 192.38
31-12-6-760-276 RIGHT WIS 0 262.69 192.38
31-12-6-756-491 WHEEL SUS 809C 0 117.93 52.03
32-10-6-774-335 BALL JOIN S/O 0 156.84 57.66
31-35-6-750-703 LEFT SWIN S/O 0 82.71 34.46
31-35-6-750-704 RIGHT SWI S/O 0 82.71 34.46
31-31-6-764-603 LEFT FRON S/O 0 395.11 289.35
31-31-6-764-604 FRONT RIG S/O 0 395.11 289.35
31-35-1-097-021 STABILIZE 0 61.71 19.64
51-41-8-224-781 CLIP WITH 923G 42 3.03 0.58
51-14-7-008-538 EMBLEM AD 0 40.15 17.78

I can't get ahold of him I think I will try and call anyone have BMW of Chatanooga

[rickyg623]

Thanks for the post...just spent 1 hour and knocked it out. You were right on the money with the description. The only problem was that a couple tabs on the bottom of the door panel broke off, but that was an easy fix. Thanks for your help!

[fraserp]

Just checked - ECS Tuning - and saw the carrier for $53.99. my passenger front just gave out. Can you imagine I dont have 50K on my X and already door handle problems. and the passenger door very rearly uses. *&^%*&@#. BMW should have a recall for this below standard type technology. &&^%$#*@

[HPIA4v2]

IMHO, two common problems:
1) door can't be opened from outside, carrier busted
2) door operating rod can't go up-down consistently with remote or central locking, but door can be opened from outside once it's unlocked, door actuator busted.
In either case door can be opened from inside.

[03BamaX5]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

IMHO, two common problems:
1) door can't be opened from outside, carrier busted
2) door operating rod can't go up-down consistently with remote or central locking, but door can be opened from outside once it's unlocked, door actuator busted.
In either case door can be opened from inside.

Unless its a rear door and the child lock is enabled then you cant open it from the inside or outside.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by 03BamaX5

Unless its a rear door and the child lock is enabled then you cant open it from the inside or outside.

The child-proof enable feature will allow adult to open the door from outside, else it's very scary in dire emergency situation (god forbid, fire or drawning scenarios).