Hey everyone,

First timer here and I've scoured the web to try to fix my issue, but can't find it addressed anywhere. I have a 1998 Honda Accord EX Sedan and the other morning the driver's side door handle did not work to open the door even though it was unlocked. It felt empty, had no resistance, like it was locked. The inside driver's door handle did work and I was able to open that way. I keep it garaged and nothing was frozen shut when this occurred. I opened up the door panel to take a look today to try to figure out if it was an easy fix. I found that everything was connected, except for the outer handle rod. It was an easy fix in that it was just hanging loose in the door and I just had to push it back into the eye on the inner outer door handle. However, it looks like the reason this originally occurred is that every time I use the outer door handle it pushes the rod a little more than I think it is supposed to and it pops out every 6-8th use of the outer handle. I'm not sure if there was something to keep this rod in place, like a plastic guide, or something on the end to hold the rod in the eye and perhaps the reason why it is now not staying in.

I'm wondering what would be the best way to keep the rod from coming out again, so I can put the door panel back on and use my driver side outside door handle again.

Thanks

 

There are a bunch of plastic retainers in the door for several of the linkages. I want to say a couple of the rods are threaded as well but that's rather obvious. You may want to look at one of the exploded door shell diagrams on hondapartsnow or a similar site

 

The should be a white plastic "bushing" that accepts the rod.

go to honda and buy a new on of those as yours is probably worn out.

 

Where would I get one of those exactly? Ebay? This is probably the issue, I just didn't want to open the passenger side to compare. The rod does fit in, it's not threaded but it does click when it goes in, but after a few door opens it works itself loose and eventually pops out again.

 

So Part 17 is what I probably need, right? Its called an outer handle joint bush. My rod comes up and goes into the hole I circled in blue, and I suppose this bushing goes in from the other side and fits the rod and then keeps it in there, let me know if I my logic sounds correct. Thanks guys.

 

Without knowing your specific model, this is only a guess. What I suggested earlier does not require you to tear apart or even open the door to figure out whats missing. Additionally its not always white colored. In the door, the little rod retainers are usually one of several colors including white because the rods are sometimes different diameters or the retainers are facing specific orientations.

https://www.hondapartsnow.com/parts-...door-lock.html

 

Yes you need to buy number 17 from your Honda dealer.

This is a <5$ part, buy OEM anbd it will last 20 years like the originals

I had the "pleasure" to work Inside my door recently and they have gotten very brittle with time. It's only normal that they start Breaking after all this time.

That litle bushing comes into the hole from the same direction as the rod. Insert bushing the pop/press the rod in afterwards