Entry door latch - replacing a little spring

[chokmah]

My entry door paddles do not automatically go back in flush after opening the door - you have to push it back in. It finally got to the point where I cannot even get the door to latch - it's like you are holding the paddle open while closing the door. So, I took the inner door panel out and found a broken spring hanging in there. It looks like it was supposed to hold the mechanism up and thereby hold the paddles in.


Picture #1 shows where I found the spring hanging - on that little notch there under the circle. Pushing up where the arrow is enables the door to latch as it should, so I figure the spring should connect to that somewhere. I don't want to just hook it to where one of the plastic clips connects for fear of breaking the clip.


Picture #2 shows the old spring, and a replacement spring that I hope will work.


The question I have is this: where does the other end of that spring go? I cannot find any notch or hole or anything in there. I am open to any other ideas on how to fix this. I figure if I can't fix it "properly", I can always drill some holes where I need them, install whatever spring works, and call it good.

[Randy Dupree]

I always add a much larger spring,like one off a carb on an engine,get a universal spring with the long tail and drill a hole somewhere to hook the long tail.

[Hellcat]

I'd replace those plastic rod clips while you that close to them.

[chokmah]

I finally got back to this and added two springs for redundancy. I picked them up at my local Lowe's.


I can't find those little plastic rod connectors anywhere. Besides local hardware stores, I searched Amazon, Orr & Orr, etc. I don't think I know what to search for. Does anyone have a link or part number?


Also, I'm not sure what has been happening with the lock (not the deadbolt). Mine has always worked fine. I understand if one of the plastic connectors breaks while trying to unlock it from the inside, you are locked in. But wouldn't you always be able to unlock it from outside with a key since it goes right into the lock?

[Randy Dupree]

throttle rod ends can be found at most good auto parts stores,Dorman has them in steel.

[isp2952]

Originally Posted by chokmah

I finally got back to this and added two springs for redundancy. I picked them up at my local Lowe's.


I can't find those little plastic rod connectors anywhere. Besides local hardware stores, I searched Amazon, Orr & Orr, etc. I don't think I know what to search for. Does anyone have a link or part number?


Also, I'm not sure what has been happening with the lock (not the deadbolt). Mine has always worked fine. I understand if one of the plastic connectors breaks while trying to unlock it from the inside, you are locked in. But wouldn't you always be able to unlock it from outside with a key since it goes right into the lock?

You just need to look to find them https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-75450-.../dp/B000C5I6H2

[curtsprenger]

CHRYSLER L.H. DOOR LOCK ROD CLIP Item No: 23739, for entry door, box of 50, $17.00, I picked up. https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Default.asp

[bwinter1946]

Found these in metal look close:


https://www.rubbertherightway.com/19...77185-prd1.htm


https://www.dairytrain.com/store/Cli...-1-3-16-L.html

[Hellcat]

The issue with those metal style is they don't have a bushing for the rod like the plastic green ones. I bought some and could not make them work.

[Bill Pape]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

The issue with those metal style is they don't have a bushing for the rod like the plastic green ones. I bought some and could not make them work.

Doug, can you help with a part # or supplier?