Hello all, I am hoping someone might help me out. I will try to explain clearly. Let me first apologize if this has already been covered. Today I went to open the driver's door (there is no key lock assembly on this side) on my 48 F-3 and although the door did open, something let go because the exterior handle descended fully and will not return into position any more.

Upon inspection I learned that the steel latch had receded into its hole in the door edge so that it no longer "catches" and holds the door closed. I can pull the latch out with pliers easily, and when I did so the outside handle is lifted all the way back up into place nicely. Only to drop again when I let go. Pulled the latch out with pliers once again to check operation of the inside door handle, and that mechanism too does drive the latch inward properly. Also, I can lock the door by holding it tightly closed and lifting the inside handle.

So the problem remains that the latch simply does not return itself to its normal "sticking out" position.

It appears to me that a spring must have let go. I took off the inspection panel and dragged the inside-bottom of the door with a magnet, but picked up no broken spring parts, or anything else for that matter. Well, it's been so long since I had one of these door latches apart that about the only thing I can remember is that it's kind of a pain. I assume I will have to pull the door handles off and then unscrew the latch assembly and fish it out of the inspection hole. I dimly recall that there are a couple of springs involved in the latching mechanism. One of them must hold the door latch in its default position when the handles are released.

I'm thinking the spring is a coiled tension spring, but memory is foggy. So I guess my questions are,
Which is the spring that I am looking for?
What is the procedure to replace it, and in doing so what should I be mindful of?
Does anyone have any photos they can put up?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

The pictures of how the latch is made are kind of scattered in old threads.

The spring that likely failed on yours is the one shown at the top in the picture. That spring is anchored in the center by two pieces stamped up out of the body of the latch. Sometimes they break, can be repaired by careful welding.

 

Thank you. I've got a new spring coming. Once the assembly is removed, how tough is it to get the old spring out and the new one installed?

 

The spring isn't difficult to install. The bigger challenge is with the tabs for the assembly - they were not designed for multiple cycles and tend to break easily.

 

Are there any particular tips/shortcuts, or anything I should be looking out for?

 

Hi 1948F3, I just went through this little problem. My spring broke off at the tail end that is held in the two tabs. Made quite the noise when it fell into the door so your's must have broke at the other end ?
I made up a little tool for this job by cutting the threads off a shouldered bolt. Then cut a slot in it that would fit over the spring half way. I used this to turn and load up the spring till it lined up with the tabs.
Use a flat blade screwdriver to spread the tabs just wide enough for the spring end to drop through. After the spring is in place pinch the tabs onto the spring end. Hope this makes sense and helps.
Greg M-47

 

I don't think there is a way around having to pull the glass out to get the inside handle mechanism out with the latch assembly. Not that much extra work, and it makes it a lot easier. Good time to clean and lube the inside mechanism, too.

 

I just replaced my driver's side latch without pulling the door glass. It's close but it can be done. When you get the screws out of the inside handle remote you may find it easier to roll the glass down some to get the remote pass the window channel. Roll it back up to remove the latch.