Entry Door Handle Broken - Locked out

[dapperphil]

We are living in our 2002 Monaco Windsor and lately have had problems getting in the entry door because the handle kept sticking.
I took the little entry panel off the inside of the door and everything looked fine with the inside latch mechanism but the outside entry handle didn't provide enough throw to open the door easily.
Looking down in that little opening I saw what looked to be a turnbuckle.
With great difficulty I manage to get a small adjustment on the turnbuckle
and the door worked a little better for a few days and than it was back to the way it was.
I figured that I better unlock the drivers window just in case we were locked out. As it turns out it was a good thing we did because last night when we came home my wife tried to open the door and she heard a snap
and now the handle is blowing in the breeze, not attached to anything on the inside of the door.
We went and got our ladder and she went in through the window (she's smaller than me) and rescued us.
This morning I again removed the small panel on the inside of the door and
everything that was plainly visable looked good. When I got a flashlight and looked down in the door I could see the inside part of the door handle moving but was not attached to anything.

I would appreciate help with the following questions:

1. How do I get the inside panel off, has anyone here done it?
2. Does anyone know who the Mfr is or possibly even the model number.
3. Any idea how much it would cost to have it repaired if I can find someone that does this kind of work.

Any information and help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Phil

[Good man]

Phil,
Without revealing anything you do not wish to reveal, you might try giving your general geographic location so that any number of persons of good will who are monitoring this board could offer assistance. I suspect that this is a very safe forum, but you need to satisify your own "index of comfort" with anyone to whom you send a PM, giving more specific information about your identity and location.
I know that if you are anywhere in Central Florida, I will do whatever I can to assist you... and I am pretty handy with this kind of stuff. Moreover, I don't frighten small children, dogs don't instinctively snarl at me and my picture has never been seen at the post office!
Best of luck to you, let me know if I can assist.
Jim

[WindsorDave]

Phil,

I had a similar problem though mine did not break before I repaired it.

The picture shows the location of the plate that has the wear induced elongated hole. I made a "U" shaped clip that hangs in the hole (upside-down) that elevates the rod slightly. The hole supporting the rod with the turn buckle was not as worn and therefore adjustments to the length of it did not correct the problem. Your mileage may vary.



FWIW

[itdave]

The problem maybe with the two long rods that go from the handle mechanism to the top and bottom latches. On mine I found that the lock nuts on the end of rods had backed off and the outside handles did not provide enough throw to activate the latches. Eventually the inside handle may no longer open the door.

To take off the inside door panel you need to remove the screws from the top and side of the door this will let you pull off the black metal strip that holds the inside panel. You will also have to remove the inside window frame. You can then pull the panel far enough away from the door get to the rod that activate the latch. Adjust the nut so there is no more than about 1/8 inch. Below are some pictures to show what screw need to be removed to get to the inside of the door.



You will need to remove all the screw along the latch edge and the bottom edge.


When you get all the screw out the frame will come off but the window will stay in place

Hope this helps PM me if you need more info

[dapperphil]

Thank you Good man for your offer to help. I am also in Central Florida on the Gulf Coast SpringHill, Brooksville area. I will not be needing any help, I think I got the info I needed from Diplomat Dave and itdave.

Thank you Diplomat Dave the diagram you sent is is great and will be very helpful.

Thank you itdave for the great pictures, now I know what needs to be done.

Best to you all and safe travels
Phil

[Good man]

dapperphil,
Man!! Those "Dave" types are something else!! That's what I call "going the extra mile" to help someone with a problem. This forum is such a wonderful place. I am humbled to be associated with people of this caliber.
I hope you are able to correct problem with such great information provided by these guys without the expense you were quoted. Safe travels!
Very sincerely,
Jim