Passenger door lock latch not flushed.. please help!

kennyuh · 08-16-2014, 09:41 PM

So after installing tint protector the other day, today I noticed my door lock latch is sitting very low. I spent almost two hours taking off and putting back the door, messing with the clips. (Not to mention losing my T-15 torx screw head searching for it for 30 minutes then going to home depot to buy another set.

) I finally gave up and am hoping the forums can help me out.
I am almost certain this is not how its suppose sit... right?! I cant figure out whats causing it.. Words from a man who has given up completely.

mike-y · 08-16-2014, 09:59 PM

either the lock rod is bent, so it doesn't stick up as far, or you didn't get the door trim on exactly right and the door panel is sitting up a bit higher than it should.

kennyuh · 08-16-2014, 10:11 PM

I mean everything lines up, and I lined it up about 5 times. I doubt its that. Maybe its the rod, would be bad to try and bend it?

Built My Way · 08-19-2014, 06:02 AM

How does it compare with the others? If you think it looks bent then remove the door panel again. Here's how:
1. Make sure that the locking rod button is in the up position.
2. Pop the arm rest trim (wood grain or aluminum) off starting at the end closest to the door hinges.
3. Remove the door pull cover. It's a snug fit and pulls right off.
4. With your new Torx-20, remove 3 screws. There are 2 along the arm rest and 1 at the top of the door pull.
5. Use the wide trim removal tool to pop the bottom of the door panel. Work your way up both sides then pull the top straight out towards you. (The locking rod button will slip out of the hole)
6. No need to disconnect anything underneath as you're just checking the condition of the locking rod.
7. With the button already in the up position and using the door panel as a guide, carefully bend the locking rod to straighten.
8. Reverse procedure.

NGEE · 08-19-2014, 06:16 AM

Is your door trim panel absolutely tight all the way around, top and bottom? If you pull on it (away from the door) on the bottom and on the top, it should be tight with no movement whatsoever.

Also, have you ever used that little button?

If it bugs you I'd just take the rod out and either find a black plastic escutcheon to cover the hole, or fill the hole with epoxy, sand it and spray it black.

kennyuh · 08-24-2014, 10:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the reply. Haha yeah it just bugged me every time I looked over. The rod was bent (idk how, but i just straightened it and it seemed to work). Got new tint and somehow it is back down again, gotta wait for the tint adhesive to dry and then i'll bend it back again). I guess i was so frustrated that I overlooked the obvious

Thanks guys, the forum never fails!

08-16-2014, 09:41 PM	#1
kennyuh New Member 1 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2011 328i sedan Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	Passenger door lock latch not flushed.. please help! So after installing tint protector the other day, today I noticed my door lock latch is sitting very low. I spent almost two hours taking off and putting back the door, messing with the clips. (Not to mention losing my T-15 torx screw head searching for it for 30 minutes then going to home depot to buy another set. ) I finally gave up and am hoping the forums can help me out. I am almost certain this is not how its suppose sit... right?! I cant figure out whats causing it.. Words from a man who has given up completely.
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08-16-2014, 09:59 PM	#2
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	either the lock rod is bent, so it doesn't stick up as far, or you didn't get the door trim on exactly right and the door panel is sitting up a bit higher than it should.
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08-16-2014, 10:11 PM	#3
kennyuh New Member 1 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2011 328i sedan Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	I mean everything lines up, and I lined it up about 5 times. I doubt its that. Maybe its the rod, would be bad to try and bend it?
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08-19-2014, 06:02 AM	#4
Built My Way Captain 71 Rep 628 Posts Drives: ...when not replacing gaskets Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Friendly Maritimes ;) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i e90 [7.50]	How does it compare with the others? If you think it looks bent then remove the door panel again. Here's how: 1. Make sure that the locking rod button is in the up position. 2. Pop the arm rest trim (wood grain or aluminum) off starting at the end closest to the door hinges. 3. Remove the door pull cover. It's a snug fit and pulls right off. 4. With your new Torx-20, remove 3 screws. There are 2 along the arm rest and 1 at the top of the door pull. 5. Use the wide trim removal tool to pop the bottom of the door panel. Work your way up both sides then pull the top straight out towards you. (The locking rod button will slip out of the hole) 6. No need to disconnect anything underneath as you're just checking the condition of the locking rod. 7. With the button already in the up position and using the door panel as a guide, carefully bend the locking rod to straighten. 8. Reverse procedure. Last edited by Built My Way; 08-19-2014 at 06:17 AM..
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08-19-2014, 06:16 AM	#5
NGEE Fuck it dude, let's go bowling. 888 Rep 2,480 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Not Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Is your door trim panel absolutely tight all the way around, top and bottom? If you pull on it (away from the door) on the bottom and on the top, it should be tight with no movement whatsoever. Also, have you ever used that little button? If it bugs you I'd just take the rod out and either find a black plastic escutcheon to cover the hole, or fill the hole with epoxy, sand it and spray it black. __________________ 1M. Previously: '13 135is; '07 E90 335i; '02 325i; '99 Z3; '98 328is; '87 L6; '77 320i Last edited by NGEE; 08-19-2014 at 06:22 AM..
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08-24-2014, 10:57 PM	#6
kennyuh New Member 1 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2011 328i sedan Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (1)	Thanks everyone for the reply. Haha yeah it just bugged me every time I looked over. The rod was bent (idk how, but i just straightened it and it seemed to work). Got new tint and somehow it is back down again, gotta wait for the tint adhesive to dry and then i'll bend it back again). I guess i was so frustrated that I overlooked the obvious Thanks guys, the forum never fails!
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