Door link detent mechanism

Ian Garrard · Post by **Ian Garrard** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:11 pm

Just a warning to note. A few month's ago, when I opened the driver's door, there was a loud cracking noise. At the time I could not find out what it was and the door operated OK though it did not stay open and could open further than before. I have since found out that the noise was the door link detent mechanism breaking off its mounting, and have found several discussions about this. It is clearly a known problem.

However, I foolishly just left it as it was and the end result was I was ubable to get out of the car yesterday, except through the passenger door.

It seems that when this mechanism breaks off, nothing stops the door opening as wide as it can. It then stops on the trailing edge of the front wing of the car and the leverage of the door tends to bend in the wing. In my case, this had gone on for some time. However, if this bending in of the wing continues, at a certain point when the door is closed, the bent wing edge will snap over the leading edge of the door, effectively preventing you from getting out.

So for anyone who has had door problems, make sure you don't let the door open so far as to rest on the front wing or the same could happen to you!

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:16 pm

The only thing you can do is take the wing off

Hope it's bolted on!

Whats everyone else thing?

pol · Post by **pol** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:48 pm

I think make some gull-wing doors instead. That would be cool.

pol

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:02 pm

It will just bolt off (the wing) you need to remove the nosecone and bonnet to do it.
Didn't you notice the wing was bending?
Or is it just me that checks over my bodywork after leaving it in a car park?

MatBat · Post by **MatBat** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:09 pm

chris1roll wrote:
Or is it just me that checks over my bodywork after leaving it in a car park?

I do as well! I try and park well away from other 'lesser' cars. Plus I enjoy the extra long walk from having parked miles away

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 7:46 pm

yes i always try and park next to a kerb, as close to it as possible. Coming out to find a 4X4 next to it is my worst scenario. Not least as then you can't get in.
Only with the 480 mind, the 740 we went to the cinema to see LOTR on sat, and there were no spaces, so I drove over the kerb, up a slope and into the hedge! and left it there.

hereagain · Post by **hereagain** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:56 pm

Lol...seems we are all the same....I hate leaving my car in car parks!!