How do i fix a broken front door knob. thumb latch wont work

SOURCE: outside sliding door handle?

Yes. It is a difficult job, but not impossible. The hardest part is actually removing the interior door handle. Here are the steps.

1. remove the interior door handle by pressing the door panel in and prying out the C-ring retainer clip
2. remove the lock slide switch bezel with 1 screw, then insert a blade on the bottom left of the slider between the slider and bezel, and release the clip, the slide the bezel toward the rear of the vehicle and pull out
3. carefully unclip the door panel around the lower edge and sides and lift the door panel UP and off
4. remove the interior lock slide switch with 2 screws
5. pull back the plastic vapor shield part way to expose the mechanism
6. there is a cable that runs from the mechanism to the exterior handle, unclip it from the door frame
7. there is a rod that drops down from the door handle to the mechanism, release the rod from the plastic clip
8. locate a large (likely black phillips) screw next to the door handle on the EDGE of the door, remove it
9. locate a 10mm screw on the inside behind the door handle, remove it
10. locate the final 10mm screw behind the handle through an access hole, remove it (careful not to let it fall inside the door)
11. the door handle will push out through the door part way- there is another C-clip securing the lock cylinder that will need to be removed, and the lock cylinder can be pushed into the door cavity
12. pull the door handle through the outside of the door skin- the door handle assembly is still attached inside the door by the latch cable- the cable can be easily removed from the handle assembly to remove it completely
13. you will likely find that the end of the door handle itself is broken off- don’t buy a new handle! Email me and I will show you my free and possibly better solution that will likely last the life of the vehicle dbonnell1972 at yahoo dot com

SOURCE: Stuck Door Knob with No Access!

I agree with your Hacksaw method. Very easy and very fast. You are going to want to replace the knob anyway so this does not happen again. Just Hacksaw that knob as close to the door as you can without damaging the door. From there you are on your way to access to the parts of the lock. Now you can replace that knob and never have this trouble again!!!! One less headache in Life......Hope this helps you ........Joe

SOURCE: 1999 BMW 323iS drivers side door. I cannot open

you are correct they are flimsey and get fatigued with age easy to replace harder to find

Jason Phillips

• 500 Answers
• Posted on May 29, 2009

SOURCE: Need detailed diagram of 1998 latch mechanism to remove connections from it

there is no diagram... the latch is also a non-servicable latch, so if your problems in the latch- it needs a latch. i would look more closely at the outside door handle itself as i have seen a few of them break on the E series vans.you may be able to get detailed instructions thru autozone.com or @ autozone. hope this helps and good luck

SOURCE: driver's side door latch wont open door from inside

Go to http://www.hmaservice.com/ and register (vehicle by VIN). Afterward, you'll have access to technical information (manuals, wiring diagrams, service bulletins, etc) about your vehicle.