Door handle button sticky
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 779
Likes: 2
From: Whistler, BC
Door handle button sticky
So my rear door handle button is sticking again. When you press it in it stays in until you hit it a few times. This has happened a few times and I would get the dealer to lube it when I went in for service, but I'm 3.5 hours away and would rather not this time. I tried in the past to fix it but had no luck. Anyone have instructions or tips to disassemble the door panel and lube the latch mechanism?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
Not sure about the back doors, but on the front door, inside, there is a rubber plug. Pull that plug and the working mechanism for the door release is accessible to spray down with some lube. I used WD-40 on my front door through that hole. I also sprayed some from the outside around the door button itself, working it back behind it. Since I don't wax my Jeep, wasn't worried about whether it might strip the wax. Just wiped up when finished and the knob now works fine. Finally, you can put some white lithium grease on the latch mechanism itself to ensure its smooth movement.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 779
Likes: 2
From: Whistler, BC
I took care of this today, didn't take long, even with forgetting to put the grommet back in place before reassembling the door panel. I actually did this before but had no luck in getting the sticky part moving again. The first time I did it, I forgot to put the grommet back as well. Awesome. Anyway here's a quick break down with some pics. 
Use a 5/16 Allen to remove this. There are two screws under here that need to be removed with a Phillips screwdriver. 
Than pop this off with a flat screw driver or something similar. 
Under that is a T25 screw that needs to come out. After that remove these two screws, also with a T25. 
Last edited by Rubichronic; Apr 21, 2014 at 06:26 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 779
Likes: 2
From: Whistler, BC
Now you are ready to pull the panel off. Start from the bottom and work your way up. It's gonna make terrible noises because of these things...
I think there are about 6 or seven. I counted them 10 minutes ago, but already forget. My neighbours are running their minibikes in our underground parking with door closed , and I'm feeling a little woozy.
It will take a bit of maneuvering to get the panel off the top and around the door handle, but it's not to bad. Once it's off remove the rubber grommet opposite the door handle. Here you can see the hole from the grommet and the latch mechanism at the outer edge if the door.
Use a flash light to peer into the hole and locate the mechanisms that need to be lubed. Spray some lube in as best you can. I used WD40 and lithium grease on the outer latch. Work the the button a few timed until everything is loosened up. Now reverse the steps and reassemble everthing, but don't forget to put the grommet back in.
I think there are about 6 or seven. I counted them 10 minutes ago, but already forget. My neighbours are running their minibikes in our underground parking with door closed , and I'm feeling a little woozy.
It will take a bit of maneuvering to get the panel off the top and around the door handle, but it's not to bad. Once it's off remove the rubber grommet opposite the door handle. Here you can see the hole from the grommet and the latch mechanism at the outer edge if the door.
Use a flash light to peer into the hole and locate the mechanisms that need to be lubed. Spray some lube in as best you can. I used WD40 and lithium grease on the outer latch. Work the the button a few timed until everything is loosened up. Now reverse the steps and reassemble everthing, but don't forget to put the grommet back in.
