New owner can't open front doors from outside.

[atikovi]

I bought a '96 Discovery and the first of many issues to tackle is that the front doors won't open from the outside. I can pull on the outside handle while the inside lock knob is all the way up and nothing happens. If the window is down and I pull up on the inside knob (about a quarter inch more) I can then open the door from the outside. But of course if the window is closed I have to enter from the back door. What should I check?

 

[joey]

Sounds like you need to open the door up and adjust the linkage.

 

[atikovi]

I got the inner door panel off tonight. Are those rods adjustable?

 

[joey]

IIRC they are...

Inside door release handle to lock
1. Refit the inside door release handle surround
before any adjustment is made, allowing the
handle to be set from the correct operating
position.
2. At the lock end of the interior handle connecting
rod, rotate the spring tensioned nyloc nut
clockwise or counter-clockwise, as necessary to
shorten or extend the operating length of the rod.
Outside door release handle to lock
3. Disconnect the connecting rod from the plastic
ferrule at the rear of the outer door release
handle. Rotate the rod clockwise or
counter-clockwise to shorten or extend the
operating length as necessary.
NOTE: Door release should be effective
before the total handle movement is
exhausted to provide a small overthrow
movement.