Door Handles - how hard to open yours?

[SlowJoe]

Hey.

On my 98 328is, I find it is sometimes hard to open the doors. I've never opened the doors of another e36 before so I don't know if this is normal - when I pull up on the handle, it's kinda hard and I have to pull until the door "click's" open (hard to describe). I'm almost affraid the door handle is going to break. Same on both sides, and same wether opening from the inside or outside.

Do your doors open this way or is it more of a normal smooth operation?

Thanks,
SlowJoe

[bigbris1]

Is your window tip function working? This is where the glass goes down a bit when you open the doors. If not, most likely the door was dropped down a bit at one time or another to allow clearance for the glass. If this was the case you will have to adjust the striker on the b-pillar (door jamb) down a smidge. Make sure everything is lubricated as well.

[GMCSK8ER]

I have the same problem with my passenger door. People think its locked, then I have to tell them "No, just pull harder" :rolleyes Since its not that big of a problem I havn't thought about fixing it yet.

[hockeyboy1213]

Hey,

I got the same problem here too.

My passenger side is really bad. It is also hard to close it too, sometimes I have to really slam the door to close it. Recently, when I am putting up the window, the window is now cutting into the weather stripping that goes around the door. Is there anything that I can do to fix that?

-Kev

[bigbris1]

You guys need to have your doors, or strikers alligned. You'll be glad you did it.

[hockeyboy1213]

Is there any special way to doing that or is it just a matter of loosening and adjusting?

[fishfeet]

my drivers side door is the same way.

Im used to it. Just pull hard.

[CdnR328i]

I had the same problem with my car. All it took was a 'good' amount of lube!! Lubed everywhere that I thought could be sticking. try this out. It's cheap! Don't use WD40!

[mmzcee]

I had the same problem with my car. All it took was a 'good' amount of lube!! Lubed everywhere that I thought could be sticking. try this out. It's cheap! Don't use WD40!

my driver door used to stick a bit too, I just lubed door latch/lock area with wd40...and i havent had a problem since, I also used wd40 on my rear trunk lock as it started to stick and its smooth as butter now, also used wd40 on my clutch to get rid of the annoying squeak...

wd40 fixes everything, psh, dont use wd40.. :rolleyes

just kidding but wd40 does work.

[CdnR328i]

Ok...Yes. WD40 will work. But it's more of a de-greaser than a proper lubricant. Serious. I used to clean my bike chain with it, then wipe it down, followed by a thin coat of a 'real' lubricant. Plus WD40 will attract and hold a lot of dust and debris.

The guys at the dealership used a silicone based lubricant that repels moisture.