Passenger door remote lever will not move. 66 FHC

[Grayjay66]

The passenger door (lhd)Opens and locks from the outside however, from inside the remote lever will not move in any direction trapping my unsuspecting passenger. Feels and sounds as though hanging up on something at the lever end not the lock/latch end.

Sudden occurrence after getting ready for Scottish Highland games. Very annoying. Any ideas as to fix?

Also separate issue are Zeus stainless 2 1/8 brake cylinders good vs original Dunlops?

Thanks

[MCY44H]

I had a similar problem with my S2 Roadster. On examination, I found that one of the bolts securing the armrest was too long and it was snagging the mechanism to the remote control. It might not be relevant to the S1, but you could quickly check by unscrewing the armrest and see if it helps.

[Grayjay66]

Thank you, I have the armrest off along with the facia and handles. What is interesting is the lower two access holes in the door have sheet metal covers riveted in place. So I will need to remove those to be able to remove the handle mechanism. I

All projects expand to exceed time available.

[MCY44H]

Sorry it didn’t help. I’m sure someone will be along who will know what’s going on in there. There are some very knowledgable members.

[Jeremy]

Do the covers look like this? Water deflectors to protect the back of the trim panel. Not sure when they were first and last fitted but not all Es have them. They do make working on the door mechanisms a pain.

[Grayjay66]

Jeremy, thank you for the photo. The riveted panels are exactly what is on my 66.

I drilled the rivets on the larger panel and was able to remove the mechanism. Added machine oil and the handle is turning again.

The riveted panel was rusting on the inside and also the door skin in one place where it touched the panel. Maybe dissimilar metal corrosion. The riveted places have a black sticky goop or gasket keeping the panel separated from the door skin.

I'll repaint the panel and then see if the mechasim goes back in as easily...fingers crossed.

Thanks again.

[Jeremy]

What's your name? Can you try to enter an auto signature that will appear at the bottom of your posts? More friendly that way...
Those panels and the bottoms of my doors were in a terrible state on my car, all so badly rusted that I got new doors during the restoration. The panels are an inelegant attempt to address the problem of poorly fitting window frames and seals. I thought about making up some replacements (nobody seemed to sell them) but in the end I didn't bother....I fitted some superior scraper seals for the drop glass, and new plastic membrane behind the trim panels.