355 outside door latch broken

Go to this link (takes time to load) and then scroll *way* down to the "Door Latch" section: http://www.club348.com/technical/Tech/348.html#Doors


There are a couple of easy fixes and at least one link that you can click on there for more detailed explanations.

 

First you need to determine what happened. I assume the handle itself is broken. It's likely the pivot where the cable connects to the handle. The metal sometimes weakens and breaks. If you look down from the top (with a flash light) where the window comes up you should be able to see it. If it is broken you'll need to get a replacement handle. I would recommend getting a used one since a new one is close to $700.

The key is that you do it from the outside, not the inside of the door. You need to remove the outer, lower part of the door which is the large radiator duct you see from the outside. It doesn't look like it should come off but the outer door is actually two panels. Once off, then it's just a couple of screws and pop in the new door handle. It's been over a year ago since I did one but once I figured out that it was the outer panel that needed to come off and not the interior, it was less than an hour total to replace it with simple hand tools. Just be careful to make sure that you watch the spacers that come off when the panel is removed. They are key to make sure you get the alignment when replacing the door panel so you have proper door gap and fit.

Hope this helps.

 

1. The 355 latch bears little resemblance to the 348.

2. It's expensive, but not $700.
http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=243127

 

It's just nuts and screws to remove the outer panel. I'll try to find the schematic but it's pretty straightforward. Does anyone else have a schematic if I can't find one for the outer door panel removal?

 

Mine just broke a few months ago. Parts and labor was close to $1000 at my local dealership...

-R

 

Mine just broke last month, so it must be going around. I ordered one from Daniel and replaced it in 15 minutes. The outside is the best way to get to this. Just take the bottom panel off, and it's all right there. I considered taking the metal part that broke to a metal shop to have them recreate the part. It would have been cheaper than the 500 I had to pay to buy a new one, but I didn't have the time to deal with it. It's a small L shaped metal part that breaks, I'm sure all of the others broke in the same spot.