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Door latch, remove and install.

Drivers door: Gently pry out mirror switch and disconnect. 510047.jpg (28089 bytes)
Passenger door: Pry out plastic cover from armrest where mirror switch would be located. 510056.jpg (30101 bytes)
Remove screw in opening. 510048.jpg (30450 bytes)
Remove 2 screws in bottom of armrest. 510049.jpg (29347 bytes)
Slide armrest forward to disengage clip from storage compartment, remove armrest. Follow green arrows to remove and white arrows to install. 510050.jpg (28620 bytes)
Lower window, dead electric motors can be over ridden (on earlier cars) with the Allen key from the tool kit, remove plug from door panel. 510053.jpg (45578 bytes)
Remove rubber plug from window motor. 510052.jpg (57424 bytes)
Insert Allen key crank handle and wind window down. 510051.jpg (50472 bytes)
Pry inner door handle surround towards rear of car, and lift off door panel. 510054.jpg (26306 bytes)
If door lock button has a knob on top, unscrew it. 510055.jpg (35821 bytes)
Use a trim tool or gently use a flat screwdriver to pop door panel clips from door, start at the lower front corner where damage will be less noticeable if you make a mistake. 510153.jpg (45332 bytes)
Once clips are disengaged on bottom and sides of panel, lift panel straight up. Window seal may come out with panel.
Pull plastic splash sheet down from top rear corner. 510036.jpg (34593 bytes)
Remove screws from inner door handle and push handle into door. 510057.jpg (26837 bytes)
Remove nut from reversing lever and push lever into door. 510160.jpg (45082 bytes)
Remove two screws for door lock actuator, unplug connector from actuator and remove rod.  510037.jpg (28683 bytes)
Outer door skin has been removed to show relation of actuator to linkage. 510038.jpg (51604 bytes)
Remove the three screws around the door latch mechanism. 510058.jpg (36618 bytes)
Twist the latch mechanism so that it disengages the actuating lever on the rear of the lock cylinder. Green arrow shows where lock cylinder engages latch. Move latch in direction of white arrow until it disengages cylinder.
Door skin has been removed for clarity, photo is shot from outside of door.
510059.jpg (53813 bytes)
Remove latch and inner handle as a unit.

Installation:

Lubricate latch with grease.
Install latch with inner handle and rod already connected. It is not possible to install the rod after the latch is installed.
Lock inner door handle rod into clip on reversing lever. Insert reversing lever in locating hole of door.
Pre-load inner door handle slightly by sliding it forward before tightening screws. 510060.jpg (45854 bytes)
Install rod and electrical connector and mount lock actuator loosely in door.

Rod is installed in lower hole of latch, with short end of hook facing the door skin. This photo is taken from the side of the door skin, with the door skin removed.

510040.jpg (72231 bytes)
The "pistol grip" faces to the rear of the car.
Use a screwdriver to rotate the door latch to the fully closed position and press the lock button down, locking door. 510039.jpg (35202 bytes)
Press the actuator's nose all the way in. Slide the actuator down to take up any slack in the linkage and tighten screws.
510159.jpg (45287 bytes)
Align door lock rod with hole in door panel. 510164.jpg (48415 bytes)
Position window seal on door, not panel, replace any damaged clips. Seal clips go over dimples in sheet metal. 510165.jpg (46030 bytes)
Replace any damaged door panel clips.
 

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E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7.  Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson