Drivers Door won't open - after changing handle carrier

[MrFixIt]

Aimster,

If your door handle is sticking out a little bit like in the photo, most likely the carrier is broken vice the cable or the cable latch.

My driver's side door handle did the same last month. The cable and latch are actually pretty solid. Most of the breakage is near the spring--the weakest point. There is only about 5mm of metal on that particular point.

I replaced mine right away, and it took about 1.5 hrs. I didn't want to take any chances of the inside door handle breaking at the same time--and with the door closed! I recommend getting it fixed ASAP.

[sheepdip]

I can confirm that it is possible to remove the door panel when the door is locked shut. I can't explain how I did it as I just used sheer bloody minded determination, a lot of wiggling and twisting, and I motored the seat back and forth a lot it just sort of came of in my hand.

As a result I have released the stuck levers and can now get in and out again from the inside. It looks like the carrier may have broken again but I'ts gonna be quite a while before I have the time to take a proper look.

Cheers for all the advice

Mike

[h2ofreezes]

Originally Posted by MrFixIt

Aimster,

If your door handle is sticking out a little bit like in the photo, most likely the carrier is broken vice the cable or the cable latch.

My driver's side door handle did the same last month. The cable and latch are actually pretty solid. Most of the breakage is near the spring--the weakest point. There is only about 5mm of metal on that particular point.

I replaced mine right away, and it took about 1.5 hrs. I didn't want to take any chances of the inside door handle breaking at the same time--and with the door closed! I recommend getting it fixed ASAP.

can you point out where the break or broken piece is on the old carrier vs new?

[jbimmer24]

Yep,it just happen to me this pass Monday,I pulled on driver door handle and nothing happened and the stuck out like it does in the picture.So today i took it to my mechanic and he showed the broken carrier and replaced with a new one,now the door opens better then ever....

[cheappc]

wow, I did this the second day I owned my X!! its a common failure, even the dealerships around here have the door carrier in stock all the time!

[cn90]

- So it is my turn for "difficult to open door from outside".

- Info on door panel removal is in my "Window Regulator Clips DIY".

- You NEED to watch this video by "BIMMER ZEIT":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge7-HJ0DUz0


- If you ever repair bicycle cable, you will know that it is NOT the steel cable that stretches with time (it does NOT), but rather...the OUTER sheath SHRINKS with time, as repeated force is applied on the cable.

- If you are good with bicycle cable repair, maybe you can add something to LENGTHEN the OUTER sheath by 1 cm. I don't know how to, so I bought a brand-new BMW door carrier for $105. My research shows me the aftermarket stuff is bad. The factory door carrier lasts some 130K miles, so I cannot complain.

- Photo to show old vs new and you can see the OUTER sheath shortens with repeated use...


---

[Marceltj4.6is]

I'm having the same issues as you after replacing the carrier. Seems like there is not enough tension on the cable or cable is too long. Maybe actuator getting worn? Were you able to resolve this on yours?

[mrBrigante]

on my way down this road myself, sucks how this happens to our x5s

[wpoll]

I recently changed my left front door handle carrier and I noticed the same thing - the cable on the after-market part (Autopa, FWIW...) is marginally shorter than the OEM cable. In my case, the difference was not anything like 1/2 inch, maybe more like 1/8" at most. Door works fine - in fact I prefer this to the old one, as the new one opens the door with much less of a pull on the exterior handle than the old one did.

[nigwhyrito]

So I got the dreaded door carrier issue this would be my 3rd replacement in 12 years not bad. But all three were after market. I also have a window regulator on passenger side I need to replace where is everyone getting the OEM parts from. As I need to get one ordered ASAP. I'm not messing with Ebay aftermarket. I need to go to OEM. any links or do I just call the local bmw dealer.