Fixing the springs in the door locks

My car has the classic door-lock spring weakness on the driver's door and the back door. I've ordered the little curly springs to fix them. The doors all unlock OK on the central locking but you have to put the key in and give it an extra twist on those two doors for them to open.

Is it an easy job to do? Anyone got any hints or tips?

My back door rattles quite a bit when I'm driving on bumpy roads (i.e. just about any road round here) and I thought I might be able to have a go at fixing that whilst I'm at it - any ideas what causes the door to rattle? The seals look OK and the door isn't obviously loose or dropped on its hinges when shut. It sounds like it's just clattering against the frame somewhere, so something must be loose but I can't immediately see what.

The sunroofs rattle as well when they're open, but I don't want to fiddle with those as they don't leak at the moment and that's more important than the rattles

Thanks, Gavin

Hallo...
I did the door lock springs a couple of months ago...must say it's probably the most frustrating job you'll ever do. I order the springs from a guy on ebay & he provided an excellent write up with diagrams, if you would like a photocopy of the instructions email me at [email protected]. A couple of things you will need, long nosed pilers, patience & more patience. I found the best way of getting the new spring in was to trim about 2/3mm off the spigots on one end of the spring. Hope this helps.
Tot zeins

bugbog101 said:

Hallo...
I did the door lock springs a couple of months ago...must say it's probably the most frustrating job you'll ever do. I order the springs from a guy on ebay & he provided an excellent write up with diagrams, if you would like a photocopy of the instructions email me at [email protected]. A couple of things you will need, long nosed pilers, patience & more patience. I found the best way of getting the new spring in was to trim about 2/3mm off the spigots on one end of the spring. Hope this helps.
Tot zeins

Click to expand...

is there any chance i can have a copy of the instructions as well please ? and where can i get the springs from ( apart from ebay as i am banned ) ? thanks

i found the back door rattle on my 200 tdi was the bronze part above the latch if you look on the door youl see the part that fits onto it when you shut the door if you get wot i mean.check the 2 philips screws that hold the door catch are tight and on mine i knocked the bronze part on the car down as far as it would go and it hasnt rattled since it was fookin annoying

I did mine relatively easily. A couple bits of advicetips though.
1) digi-photo where the rods/connectors fit on the door and lock assembly or write down clearly where they go
2) I filed a small notch in the blade of an old thinnish screwdriver to get the spring (under tension) to fit into the hole as its a tad fiddly
3) get someone with small hands to refit the rod clips by the leading edge of the door.

I did rear n/s and tailgate a month or so ago, and now the drivers door is going!!!!!! Back onto ebay we go.

the actual spring had snapped on mine , it fell out in my hand when i stripped the door down so i dont know where it came from and my local land rover dealer has been no help

I took the weather shield off the door - looked at how complicated it was then put the trim backon and now I live with it....damn i'm lazy.

Good point on the digi photo.....forgot to mention that in my original write. Also, small hands is an advantage, my misses has got small hands...well I think she has because me c**k looks massive in them......!!!!!

Thanks everyone, sounds like a job for a sunny afternoon, not something to do in a hurry between rain showers.

I have now received the springs - I too got them from eBay, P Senior Trading, eBay shop phillipstuart33 - but you can buy direct from his web site which is Welcome to disco-compatible-parts.com if you're banned on eBay . He has included instructions, but hartelijk bedanke for the offer to send them, bugbog, much appreciated. But mate, I have to tell you, your wife must be a midget .....

Cheers all, happy weekend Land Rover DIY-ing.

Oh - I'm going to get mine dirty on Monday with the Buxton & District LRO at their offroading day. If any of you are there look out for my bog standard, bog green Disco P823 GJM and say g'day. I'll be the one that's stuck.

"Buxton & District Land Rover Club Ltd will be holding the next public off road play days on Sunday 24th August & Monday 25th Augsut 2008 at Hartington Quarry near Biggin Derbyshire. This is on the A515 half way between Ashbourne & Buxton opposite the Rivendale camp site, The OS Grid Ref for the site is :-SK159 566.
The event is open to all types and makes of 4x4s. The site is suitable for shinyies and also offers a more challenging route for drivers wanting a bit more.
Catering and toilets will be provided on site, with spectators welcome and a large car park for anybody not wanting to get their vehicles dirty. Day passes cost £25.00 per vehicle. Additional drivers £10.00 each. Spectators welcome £1.00 Adults under 16 free.
Gates open at 10am till 4pm for what we promise to be a great day out for all the family. For further information, contact Matt on 07973 849466 or Vee on 01625 615403"