How to fix stif early door mechanisms?

Couldn’t find any existing info on this, as often the case with the early defender I have.
I’m getting fed up of having to wind the window down to let my self out of my lift up handle door.

It’s not long since I last stripped the door down and sprayed a load of lube on the internal mechs but Even then they’re not much better. The outside handle always works smooth as anything though.

I was about to try and do the same again and wondered if anyone has any tips for refurbishment that would make the things work any better?
The internal handle linkages just seem flimsy and have a lot of resistance for the little mechanical advantage they have
.....or do I just sack them off and look for some push button doors if they are a lot better? (really didn’t want to do that as I like the original look)

I found the inner pull handle goes loose. Remove the door trim & take up the slack in the long flat bar. There’s 2 nuts, you may need to elongate the holes.

now the lock mechanism I used brake cleaner to get the crap out. Let it dry then silicone or wax spray.

Think I did this last time but will have another look.
Cheers!

Are you having trouble with too much movement between the handle rod mechanism & your mech?
Does the door mech work with the door open?

Swapping won’t work, you end up winding the window down with the push button ones too. Is usually the inner handle rod ^^^

Hicap phill said:

Are you having trouble with too much movement between the handle rod mechanism & your mech?
Does the door mech work with the door open?

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Mech works with door open and fine from outer handle.
There’s just a hell of a lot of resistance in the mech joints as far as I ca see. The handle will work if you really pull hard, just feels like something will give eventually.

RangeRoller dt said:

Swapping won’t work, you end up winding the window down with the push button ones too. Is usually the inner handle rod ^^^

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Ohh well, I assumed these were made to be a better design.
The 10 year old defender my dad has still has smooth opening.

solmog said:

Mech works with door open and fine from outer handle.
There’s just a hell of a lot of resistance in the mech joints as far as I ca see. The handle will work if you really pull hard, just feels like something will give eventually.

Click to expand...

Take the door card off & check the rod from the pull handle to the mech. You will find slack

^^^
I kept putting window down and tugging the door in end door felled off (1998 90). Check your hinges are straight top one near the bulkhead can go weak.