Since I bought the car the rear doors have been really hard to open. It feels like you're going to break the handle off with the amount of pulling needed. Once open, the door handles operate freely.

On a standard car I'd be looking at the operating rods, but I don't believe the S Type has these as the door latches look to be an electrically controlled item.

Is there an adjustment I can do?

 

Mine are the same. Maybe just because they don't get used as much?

 

Hi. Maybe that's what it is, but it doesn't go with the prestige car feel does it?

 

Not too sure about the jag, but on most cars the latch at the door (the part visible when the door is open) might be slightly adjustable, of you loosen the screws /bolts slightly and open and close the door it might move the lock to a position where the is no pressure on it making opening easier, maybe?

 

Could the door be sticking on the rubber? (Classic sign of non-use.)

 

Thanks chaps. I'll have another look at it, but it's not the rubber sticking, it's definitely the handle or lock that needs a big pull on it to 'click' open.

 

Use a screwdriver to lock the lock when the door is upon then unlock with the handle to see if it is pressure on the lock causing the stifness

 

Good idea, I'll try that.

 

Using a screwdiver shaft to test the latch shows that the latch works fine. It's only when the door is closed onto the car catch bar that it is stiff to open.

The catch bar is attached with two bolts and doesn't look to have been moved, but would moving it slightly make any difference?

 

Same issue with mine, the door latch is very hard to operate and needs to be pulled on harder than I thought was normal before opening the door. Someone else tried it and thought the door was locked. I noticed that if I press on the door before operating the latch, it moves very smoothly. I tried moving the post connected to the door frame out toward the door so the latch would catch sooner but not much difference. I did not want to move it much further as I tyhought it might create air noise at higher speeds or even a water leak. I just live with the hard opening rear doors, no biggie.
If someone has a solution, it seems that at least a few of us will be appreciative.

 

Try (further) adjustment. Readjust if noise.

 

thanks Dennis.

Just tried that and it works, so it means the door rubbers are pushing the door away creating pressure on the latch. adjusting them away will mean less of a seal though as you say, so catch22.

 

Not nessaceraly, if it is the door rubbers, adjusting so the catch works normally you will have the same pressure as everyone else's, and theirs don't leak.

 

Another possibility is the door has fallen slightly, or the catch has moved slight and needs adjusting vertically not horizontally.

 

I'll tinker tomorrow, the gaps around the door and the panels seem equal, but if anything the door is slightly proud of the body panels at the moment.

 

good point

 

The outside read door handle is mechanically hooked to the rear door latch. I have this hard to open feeling on both the STR and my 2003 LS.

I think it's the rear door latch and outside door handle geometry. The way it looks is the outside handle moves all the way to it's stop but has failed to pull far enough on the latch itself. I have lubricated everything multiple times and the door does open but with too much effort!
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Interesting thread here. The rear door latches on my '02 are the same way. Sure enough, with slight pressure on the door, the handles now lift up with very little effort. I'm hesitant to try adjusting anything, as right now the doors fair nicely with no wind noise or rattles. As we rarely use the back doors, I think a good workaround is just to remember to push slightly on the door with one hand (at the aft edge right above the belt line is a sturdy spot) while lifting the handle. Perfect? No. Adequate and appealing to my lazy nature? Yes.

 

Good suggestion! I will try applying some pressure above the outside door latch to see if it is easier to open. Never even thought of that?
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My rear doors have always been stiff opening them. Often times, people try to open them and think they're locked. I just tell them to pull the handle harder. Glad to know it's not just my car.