Sticky Door Handle
- Thread starter Matty_Z4
- Start date
Attleborough, Norfolk
Is there any way to know BEFORE taking the door apart if the problem is the Bowden cable or the gears in the carrier unit? I also purchased the OEM cable from FCP for about $75. The whole carrier unit is about $250 including the Bowden cable. My mechanic says I can try the cable to see if that fixes it, but now I'm worried that I'll waste a lot of time and potentially have a non-functioning drivers door if it's more than just the cable.
StudioWizard said:
That pricing seems a little off
I know parts are expensive but that seems excessive? RealOEM lists the cable as $13.94 and I got a cable from BMW for £15. I have always found that the prices on RealOEM give me a good idea of if its a cheap part or a oh crap thats expensive. Are you not able to get Z4 parts from a BMW dealer or are they rare over there? I see most people get their parts from FCP Euro are they the only parts supplier or just the best. I picked up a new door handle and with paint it and VAT it will come in at £150 so $200 - $250 doesn't sound too bad for the door handle if it comes painted. For the door handle carrier I would say that is a touch on the expensive side and the carrier has a metal gear/pulley thing so that doesn't wear it will be the door handle or the cable.
To change/inspect the door handle all you will need is a flat blade screwdriver, 90 degree pick tool and something to pop the rubber bung out the edge of the door. Remove the bung, shine a light in the hole so you can see the metal locking slider, place the screwdriver on the slider and give it a good firm tap with your hand or a hammer, this will release the latch holding the door handle in and then it just slips out.
There is a little plastic ramp that you have to overcome so some people put a 2nd screwdriver in to make it easier, I couldn't figure that out so just went with the method from the guy with "the farmers hands" don't ask which thread or forum I did lots of googling.
To re lock you hook your pick into that metal tab you hit with a screwdriver and pull it towards you, that will then lock the handle back in place.
As for wasting time and doing it many times dont take my experience as the gold standard, I was trying to fix this in the rain and dark in the evenings after work also I was hyperfocused on the fact that it was the cable and nothing else so didn't bother checking anything else.
Matty_Z4 said:That pricing seems a little off
I stand corrected. I looked back at my receipts and I paid about $24 plus tax/shipping for the Bowden cable. FCP Euro lists the door carrier at $225, but they are the most expensive. US parts companies way overcharge and then they overcharge on the shipping, too. I need to order some tiny clips and blind plugs and they want to charge me $26 for slow US Mail shipping. I had to call them out on that - waiting on a response now.... but I digress!
Thanks for the huge helpful tip about removing the door handle first to see if it needs replacing. If not, I'll use my overpriced Bowden cable! haha
Door handle is back from the paint shop wooo! Looks fantastic. Just given it a quick splash of Gtechniq C1, then will get to fitting it tomorrow.
@StudioWizard do you want/need me to take any photos while I swap out my handle? Did you manage to take yours off to inspect it in the end?
@StudioWizard do you want/need me to take any photos while I swap out my handle? Did you manage to take yours off to inspect it in the end?
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Matty_Z4 said:
Can you shoot a video of you installing the handle? That may be asking a lot, so no worries if you can't.
I didn't have a chance to take mine off yet, but I will when I return from the holidays next week.
enuff_zed said:
Defiantly a trick of the light, the car does look almost silver in some lights. I think its to do with the Beige metallic flake in the paint, I actually had no idea my car was metallic until I had to get the paint code on Friday
Its going to need a damn good clean soon! StudioWizard said:
Will try and grab a video a bit later on, its not going to be "professional" quality more like a guy waving his phone around
StudioWizard said:
Managed to get it all sorted finally
Hopefully no more tinkering now until the weather warms up. Ive made a quick video not to professional standards by any means but hopefully should get the gist of what needs to be done.
[youtube]wc2zu9Z2JnA[/youtube]
Also take a look at these threads, I found the guy with the farmers hands
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW_Z4M/56-BODY-Door_Handle_Replacement/56-BODY-Door_Handle_Replacement.htm
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=76531
The most helpful post is the one by JonnyC at the bottom of this thread as it helps you understand what I am pushing with the screwdriver and pulling with the pick.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1077590&t=10075
If you tap/hit the screwdriver hard enough the retaining tab will jump out of the way. Some people (BMW special tool) Sits in the groove to the right of the metal tab and helps guide the retaining tab.
Excellent job! And thanks for shooting the video - it's super helpful!
Matty_Z4 said:
I'm having the tranny rebuilt - should have the car back tomorrow. This week I'll check out the door handle and if it looks good, I'll replace the Bowden cable which I already have.