Thread: Front doors difficult to open -is there a fix?

Yep D1 thing. Probably needs the small springs in the door locks replaced. There are fixit threads on here somewhere.




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Google discovery door lock springs A little fiddly to replace but straight forward plenty of guides around

Hold the handle on the door up and close slowly, you will feel the catch hitting the striker, possibly a wear mark on the striker as well.
Adjust the striker on the door jamb.
Loosen it off a little and tap it downwards. Torx spanner required
Remember there are 2 clicks on the catch for fully closed.
Doors have probably sagged over time.

We have the same problem with our '97 D1, from what I can gather it is something to do with a small spring within the lock mechanism, it gets weak or breaks or something, there are a number of posts somewhere on here regarding this problem.
I know the replacement springs are available and I believe the lock mechanisms have to be fully or partly dismantled to fit them, though I have not undertaken this task, yet, if the good lady wife breaks any more fingernails on door handles my life may become not worth living and the Disco may be banned until rectification takes place.
So in a few words, yes it is "a Disco thing" and yes it can be fixed. Im sure a search of previous posts will show how. Gaz

Thanks for the advice guys! Ill search for it on the forums a little more.

to eliminate door sag watch the lock button as you unlock he door with the central locking, if the lock lifts ten dips on the central that points you in the direction of th circle spring as pictured above.

if holding the key in the unlock position or having someone pull up on the lock button as you open the door makes it open reliably then its definitely the little spring.

it takes about an hour per door to replace the springs all told from stat to stop.

before you tart its a good idea to grap a can o dry lube spray or stick to relube the lock mechinism with while you have it out. DDo NOT use wd40 or wet lube on them

I have just got a 93 D1 and cant open the drivers do wirh either handle. Window is down. Any suggestions?

it measn wither the unock links have failed, the linkage to the handles is lost on itps pivot or the door lock has jammed.

the extra frustrating way of getting to it is to remove the drivers seat, disassemble the door card and then with the windo up manually operate the lnkages from within the door as you put outwards pressure on the ddoor hwhiel having someone gently tap on the door in the vicinity of the latch with a rubber malet or hte palm of their hand.

alternatively dig into the passaneer side door so you can see whats doing what, grab an endoscope and a coathanger made into a hook, refine your technique on the passanger side door then do the same on the drivers sie door.

I've not heard of a disco door being so permanently stuck that one o those methods didt get it open but I have heard a thrd hand story of a nissan door that requried removal with a grinder after hte lock mechanism had twisted up inside the door after the mounting screws had worked loose