Door Handle Rattle - How to fix with pictures

[Surrey Sam]

Going through RS4 number 2's list of niggles and the driver’s door handle rattle was one towards the top of said list. Every time I closed the door, it had an annoying metallic sounding rattle. The painted door handle cover also felt a little loose upon opening the door too.

Overall its quite a simple fix. I found a small art brush buried in the bottom of my tool box which was similar diameter to that of an ink insert for a Bic Biro pen - DO NOT USE A SCREWDRIVER. Tape up the area with some masking tape to avoid any scratches to the paintwork, you can then lift the handle up two thirds of the way and look behind the top of the cover, you'll see two metal looking clips which are attached to each other in the shape of one long metal slider.

Click on pictures to enlarge slightly:

The slider/clip moves from left - right to open and the other way to close; I inserted the handle end of the thin art brush and pushed the slider to the open position. This made the handle really loose and you can then pull the top out a couple of millimetres which allows you to move the door handle cover downwards where you can disengage the bottom from two hooks.

Once the cover was off I just pinched the ends of the slider inwards a little to gain more purchase onto the handle cover and then re-assembled - you slide the clip right to left from the other side of the handle to secure the cover. Problem solved and all done in 5 minutes.

Job done, hope that helps.

Sam

[andyg72]

mine rattles cheers

[rob-s]

I inserted the handle end of the thin art brush and pushed the slider to the open position

I have been trying this and don't seem to get it. Does the slider move from inside this hole or by pushing the complete metal bracket?

The slider/clip moves from left - right to open and the other way to close

Mine is a LHD so does it work from right to left?

I have been looking at the "open" and "closed" position pictures and don't see any difference. Also I do not understand the arrows both
directions in the "open" picture. Please give more detailed advice:)

Neither do I understand where you adjust the handle. I see you with a small screwdriver & an arrow..

My car's door handle is really tight but when closing the drivers door it makes a slight metal sound that does irritate me.

After struggling 1 hour I had to give up before I brake something..

[Surrey Sam]

I inserted the handle end of the thin art brush and pushed the slider to the open position

I have been trying this and don't seem to get it. Does the slider move from inside this hole or by pushing the complete metal bracket?

The two parts circled move together as one metal item.

The slider/clip moves from left-right to open and the other way to close

Mine is a LHD so does it work from right to left?

I have been looking at the "open" and "closed" position pictures and don't see any difference. Also I do not understand the arrows both
directions in the "open" picture. Please give more detailed advice

I believe that it's the same way for both LHD and RHD vehicles, so on a LHD drivers door you'll be starting at the oposite end to the lock cylinder. I've found a DIY fix on a USA forum which does it on a LHD car, it would be worth reading through that one as well - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthrea ... tle-Repair

Neither do I understand where you adjust the handle. I see you with a small screwdriver & an arrow..

My car's door handle is really tight but when closing the drivers door it makes a slight metal sound that does irritate me.

After struggling 1 hour I had to give up before I brake something..

Very wise to give up, the last thing you want to do is scratch the paintwork.

When you have the handle off, you'll understand how to adjust it. I bent the metal bit inwards to gain more purchase onto the handle's hook when the slider is in the closed position.

Before adjusting, I could tap the handle heavily and it would rattle, also it was a little loose fitting. Your rattle may not be the handle cover if its all tight?

[rob-s]

Your rattle may not be the handle cover if its all tight?

That is what I also suspect. It does come from the handle mechanism and has a metallic sound. When closing the door and
holding the handle it is less.

[Surrey Sam]

Your rattle may not be the handle cover if its all tight?

That is what I also suspect. It does come from the handle mechanism and has a metallic sound. When closing the door and
holding the handle it is less.

Might be worth studying this video to see if there's any other component you feel could be at fault with the whole handle mechanism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nanPNH112bU

[geordie jay]

nice write up sam...mine has just started doing it and yes its starting to annoy me now when I shut door...on holiday next week so will have a go

[MissRS4]

Hey Sam,
Wonderfully done thank you.
Cheer
MissRS4

[MugelloR]

Another happy customer here, many thanks Sam!!!

[beaker25]

Awesome Sam,

This has been annoying me since I got the car, thought it had been a shoddy repair previously, will do this tomorrow.

[Fatneck73]

Will be doing this tomorrow.

[Covkiller]

Nice one Sam, bookmarked

[12th]

When Audi did one of my doors, this happened, and there is play in the door handle inside the car. When a local indy did it, it was perfect...