My passenger door is hard to open from the OUTSIDE. You really got to tug.
From the inside it opens easy.
I found the problem a 3" long rod runs from one side of the outside door handle to the other side. On each side of the door handle the rod runs through a small opening.

That's where it broke/split on one side. I've heard that this is a common braking part for how old the FD is.

Now besides buying a new opener (expensive!!) does anybody know of a fix?

 

that is the first sign that the door handle is about to break.

some people have had some luck with lubing the door handle to extend the life. you would obviously do this from behind.

you might want to pre-emptively buy a spare just in case.

 

I guess you mean completely breaking off!

Funny thing is that door hardly gets used compared to the driver door.

I would by the part if I could find one. I've only seen it sold as the entire piece that bolts to the door.
This where somebody like JASON should fabricate the handle and sell it. They're all the same shape as far as I know.

Over the years we have found different parts that just wear out. Not just HP parts. Everything. Sometimes one of us gets innovative and makes the part or finds a way to circumvent it.

 

There should be one floating around the for sale section somewhere. Post a wtb. Shouldnt be too expensive that way.

 

I would rather try and find a new one. Or a tried and true fix.
A used one might be three openings from breaking!!

 

It is not a sign that it is going out. The reason the door handle(s) break is because the mechanism needs lubrication. The handle is made of plastic so if one continues to force it open, of course it's gonna break. No brainer...

to the tread starter: go to home depot and buy some lubricant that will fix the problem. That is unless you forced the handle already too much. But if the problem just started then you should be okay.

After 10 years one would expect to relubricate some parts

 

I've had this car for almost 13 years.
Of course I've lubed it up!!

 

You should be able to pick up the full assembly from your local dealership. It has been a few years since mine broke and iirc I paid $150.

 

Cheapest I've seen from Ray at Malloy is $185 (don't recall if tax and shipping was included) if you get hit for full retail I've seen prices in the $250 to $285 range. and of course the third option is a passenger side for a right hand drive (like ours little use) but a passenger side for our car should be the easiest to find on the for sale forum. If you can find a litium based lube it will be better and last longer than something like WD-40 Jack

 

Lithium spray grease - it penetrates and sticks. Remove the inside panel, unbolt the handle assembly, and swing it out to access the mechanism.

Whatever you do, don't yank the handle and break it. As CGS said, it's a crappy thing to try and get a replacement for.

Dave

 

yeah, isn't that what i said...

 

I apparently I failed to comprehend what your wrote earlier. Because the way that you worded it, I read it as: the door getting hard to open is a symptom of a handle that it's on it's last leg. but whatever.