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A
Stiff Inside Door Handle 911s
by Steve
Grosekemper
In 1974 Porsche updated the interior door treatment on 911s. Along with the new door pocket storage arrangement came new inside door handle linkage. This system seemed to work very well
for years of trouble-free service. However, in some cars this linkage can become very stiff, making it almost impossible to open the door.
The problem with this original system is mainly in the pull cable. It is a solid pull wire housed in a flexible steel sheath. As time and nature take their toll, this cable becomes rusty. It binds in
its housing, causing operation to become quite difficult; sometimes enough to brake the plastic door handle, or even worse, someone's finely manicured fingernails. (This disaster should be avoided at
all cost, trust me on this one!)
Starting with Carrera's produced after March of 1985, Porsche upgraded this linkage all the way from the handle to the latch. Unfortunately, I don't own a Carrera--I own a 911SC. Fortunately, Porsche
outlines this upgrade in technical bulletin group 5, #8605. The difference in handle effort is truly astounding, due in part to the new ratio of the upgraded reversing bracket and smoothness of the
new bowden cable (Remember the old one was a stiff, solid, pull wire).
The parts, prices, and qualities needed to update both doors are as follows:
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2-911.531.509.01 cable
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$41.20
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2-911.531.091.01 pull rod
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29.50
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4-999.507.009.02 snap nut 3.5mm
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.80
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4-N 014 0869 screw (3.5x16mm)
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.80
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8-993.531.563.00 clip
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3.36
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1-993.531.083.01 bracket left
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9.70
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1-993.531.084.01 bracket right
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9.70
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Subtotal
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$95.06
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Sales tax
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7.37
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Total parts cost
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$102.43
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This update
is fairly simple after removing the door panel and associated
hardware. Just take your bag of parts and install them where
their matching counterparts were previously located.
The reversing brackets
will need their mounting holes re-drilled in the door skin.
All of the new parts look the same, only their geometry has
changed. This job will take an experienced technician and
about 3 hours to complete both doors. There is, however, an
abbreviated update that works very well, and gives you about
80% of the benefit of the complete job. It takes about half
the time and requires only one part per door. This decreases
the cost from about $300.00 (including labor) to about $150.00
(including labor). For all of you "do it yourselfers", the
parts price alone goes from $100.00 to $45.00.
The abbreviated update is as follows:
With door panels removed, take the new bowden cable part #911.531.509.01 and remove the spring from the end. Crimp the remaining spring retainer to the cable end. (This eliminates an
annoying rattle). Install the new cable (spring retainer to the front of the car) and adjust out any freeplay. Replacement of cable end retainers is suggested (2-993.531.563.00). Re-install the door
panel, and you are all set, manicure intact.
Good Luck!
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