Lancia Motor Club

I begin to feel a totally inadequate owner of an Aprilia!
The driver's door has been a little unreliable in its action lately - it would stick open when opened occasionally but did click closed with a tap. Last weekend after the Ashby Show (well done Neal Shepherd for organising the classic cars) I could only open the door from the inside as the handle stayed out in the pulled position.
On taking the door trim and window out I see that the system is very similar to that on the Augusta which is very easy to work on as all bits are visible. On the Aprilia they most definitely are not and it looks as if the window channel needs to come out and even then all is not clear. The bit with the coiled spring (the handle return) seems to be the problem as feels loose and possibly disconnected.
Do I need to take the bit that the vertical rods connect with to actuate the top and bottom clips? If so that is a awkward job as all the screws seem corroded in place and if not, how do I do it!!?
I keep trying to use the car but it obviously prefers languishing in comfort.
Good news however on the Augusta front as I am just off to get the new rebored block and new pistons and shell-bearing bronzes so will be busy into August at least with both cars.

Brian
I am back on my Aprilia project. I have all four doors off, one of which is stripped down so the mechanism is out and the others I am going to strip down. if you want to come and strip one with me if that would help, you are welcome. Please ring on mobile.
Dave

Be interested in seeing photos and progress on this ..... I have some spare handles if you find any excessively worn parts

Hi Brian

Do these pictures help?

Geoff Johnson

Brilliant help offers.
I hope that the problem is in the bit behind the handle and not in the link mechanism. Pictures help understand the loose bits (totally unlike Augusta)   but will speak to Dave.
Brian

Panic over. Handle working without major upheaval. The bolt behind the lever was loose and the spring had rotated and so on opening the door from outside the rod that fits into the linking mechanism had slipped out and then would not go back once the slot had slipped back. It only needed a slight force to re-engage the rod and then with 2 lights and a longish 8mm spanner I could reposition the spring and tighten nut.
Pictures were very helpful, thanks again.
Brian

Its great when "take it apart, clean it, put it back together" really is enough and there's no evil beyond.

"Nut got loose" was the root cause?

I think so. (Nut loose) but may also be wear on the rod and slot so overpulling door lever disengages it. Will see if recurs.
Just come in to cool down as putting window back in with ambient temperature 30+ degrees causes sweat and glasses keep sliding off rendering me blind-ish. Might play with Augusta engine instead.
Brian

Hi Geoff
I posted some pics of the mechanism on the technical information thread.  Could youadd yours please?
David

I took no pictures as a) I did not remove the spring or handle of connecting box as I could see that the spring was loose and not aligned as in your pictures and b) there was no way my camera skill is at a level to show things as it was as I could barely see the bits.
I am not convinced I have solved the problem although it seems ok on my n=7 trial of opening and closing the door. I will be progressing to a review over a prolonged period on an open-ended study using the passenger door as the control. Can you tell I have just been looking at a trial for a Medical Ethics Committee?
Brian

Can anyone supply new interior door handles? I think there may be two spline diametres - 8 and 9 mm - mine is 8 mm. The old Mazak ones break easily. I bought one from Giolitti, but no luck with a second one
Peterblenk@aol.com

Cavalitto list them, don't know the size.

https://www.oldlanciaspares.com/aprilia_eng/body.php

I'll bet they're expensive though.

Geoff Johnson