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Old 01-08-2010, 01:10 AM   #1
KingJeff
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Default key hole pushed in and handle loose?

I noticed an hour ago that my key hole was pushed in all the way, and my door handle was a little bit loose. Do you guys think someone may have tried to break in? Anyone know how to pull the key hole back into place and tighten up the whole handle so it stays in place? When i pull the handle the whole handle area comes out a little bit.
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:52 AM   #2
teiva-boy
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Yes it was an attempted break-in. That method is done on a lot of cars..

Get it fixed, and if you dont have an alarm, think about getting it. It's a big noise maker and a deterrent. It wont hurt, other than your wallet.
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:56 AM   #3
PCrowlz
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This happened on a friends car a while back. You cant really fix it on your own, you need to get a new lock put in most of the time.
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:10 AM   #4
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dam, so I really can't fix it myself? man....money is already tight for me.
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:29 AM   #5
Farnk
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Happened to my friend. We took the panel off the inside of the door, spent like an hour fishing around and felt it, but couldn't do anything with it ourselves.
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:32 AM   #6
KingJeff
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well the lock itself is visible, i pulled it all the way to where it's suppose to be but it won't stay in place
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:40 AM   #7
rentforsale
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Samething happened to me . No one tried to break into your car .... The lock has a nut on the inside of the door to hold it into place . It prolly came loose and fell off . Chances are it is sitting in the bottom of your door waiting for you . Pull the panel off and fish it out . Its an easy fix .
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Old 01-08-2010, 02:55 AM   #8
KingJeff
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What about the handle piece itself? That piece is loose also
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Old 01-08-2010, 03:24 AM   #9
J. Steinbeck
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PCrowlz View Post
This happened on a friends car a while back. You cant really fix it on your own, you need to get a new lock put in most of the time.

I'll be honest: I, and some of the people who pay me for auto work, have heard this line from several people before- especially dealers and repair shops.

Before I write anything else, I'll write this- I have always been able to repair broken locks from attempted break-ins, regardless of what make vehicle they were on. I've repaired a few late model GM and Ford vehicles within the past couple of months with success, and in all of those cases, I did the repairs for a third or less than what the dealers or repair shops offered, parts included. Some dealers priced jobs I completed for $300 (parts included, with decent profit and less than 2 hours labor) at just over $1,000.

I give the above information simply because I think that, if you are mechanically inclined at all, it may be worth your time to remove the door panel and at least look at what you are dealing with. On most cars, it is an issue of removing the panel, unhooking some lock and actuator rods, and removing the handle. After that, you depress two metal slide tabs to remove the lock cylinder. However, if the cylinder has been pushed in (as you described), chances are part of the handle itself is broken, and you will need to replace the handle assembly as a whole ) if it was an attempted break in. Believe it or not, you can most likely reuse the key cylinder itself, as the handle innards break before the cylinder when hit. (This will all make more sense once you take it apart.)

All the above being said, I'll point out that I have never taken apart a Subaru doorlock assembly, but most late model car door assemblies are very similar. It is at least worth looking, and as another poster pointed out, it may be something much simpler. I'll also point out that I've had many drinks tonight (I'm off of work tomorrow due to weather and decided to celebrate), and would prefer not to be held 100% responsible for any inaccuracies in my post. Regardless, I'm being truthful, and trying to help you out.

Last edited by J. Steinbeck; 01-08-2010 at 03:29 AM.
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Old 01-08-2010, 06:50 AM   #10
jaxscuby
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i've taken my door apart because of the same reason.
and no, it was not a break-in attempt.
the nuts holding the handle / lock backed off.
so with door panel off and 1/4 drive 10mm socket
with extension tightened everything back up with
extra help of lock-tight..

thats was over 6 years ago..handle still holding on..
along with door lock..
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Old 01-08-2010, 08:00 AM   #11
mrbob1983
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same thing happened to my car. the bolt that holds the lock cylinder to the door handle had fallen out. Just bolted it back up and its good to go. hopefully thats all your problem is and nobody tried to break in, worth a shot taking it apart and finding out.
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Old 01-08-2010, 09:57 AM   #12
0subie6
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I have fixed this issue on my fiancee's 03 Civic. Parts are not terribly expensive. I would google tumbler assembly for Subaru. Find a parts group that provides the exploded view of the whole door assembly, buy the parts needed to fix; usually around $60-70 all said. There isnt much to the install once the door card is off (roughly 2 - 4 screws). Probably no more than an hours work first time.

Most ordering groups will even let you enter your VIN# so they can provide the right series tumbler so that the new keys that are included with that part are cut to work with your current tumblers. All that is required after that is to go to your local Subie dealer with those dog tags for the keys so they can program them and you will have a few backup spares as well.
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:19 PM   #13
KingJeff
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thanks for the responses guys. Ill try to fix it myself
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Old 01-08-2010, 01:20 PM   #14
KingJeff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0subie6 View Post
I have fixed this issue on my fiancee's 03 Civic. Parts are not terribly expensive. I would google tumbler assembly for Subaru. Find a parts group that provides the exploded view of the whole door assembly, buy the parts needed to fix; usually around $60-70 all said. There isnt much to the install once the door card is off (roughly 2 - 4 screws). Probably no more than an hours work first time.

Most ordering groups will even let you enter your VIN# so they can provide the right series tumbler so that the new keys that are included with that part are cut to work with your current tumblers. All that is required after that is to go to your local Subie dealer with those dog tags for the keys so they can program them and you will have a few backup spares as well.
So i need new keys? I can't use the original lock and key?
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Old 01-08-2010, 03:43 PM   #15
teiva-boy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rentforsale View Post
Samething happened to me . No one tried to break into your car .... The lock has a nut on the inside of the door to hold it into place . It prolly came loose and fell off . Chances are it is sitting in the bottom of your door waiting for you . Pull the panel off and fish it out . Its an easy fix .
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaxscuby View Post
i've taken my door apart because of the same reason.
and no, it was not a break-in attempt.
the nuts holding the handle / lock backed off.
so with door panel off and 1/4 drive 10mm socket
with extension tightened everything back up with
extra help of lock-tight..

thats was over 6 years ago..handle still holding on..
along with door lock..

While possible, one would or should notice it getting loose prior to it actually falling off. That said, I have it on pretty good authority, that breaking into cars this way works. I wont get into details, but it's possible, and is done in some cases. Frankly breaking the glass is easier, but whatever.

I do not agree nor disagree to the above methods, just that there are numerous ways to break into a car... With our frameless windows, a wedge, and coat hanger can open a door in under a minute.
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Old 01-09-2010, 02:00 AM   #16
KingJeff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbob1983 View Post
same thing happened to my car. the bolt that holds the lock cylinder to the door handle had fallen out. Just bolted it back up and its good to go. hopefully thats all your problem is and nobody tried to break in, worth a shot taking it apart and finding out.
Yup that was it. the bolt came loose and found it after taking the door panel off. Screwed it back it and good as new. Thanks guys.
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Old 01-14-2010, 10:33 AM   #17
Animsteve
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingJeff View Post
Yup that was it. the bolt came loose and found it after taking the door panel off. Screwed it back it and good as new. Thanks guys.

I just had the exact same problem and fixed it today. Thanks for making this topic and thanks to everyone else who answered.
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Old 06-14-2010, 01:58 PM   #18
DrummerboyWRX
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I had this happen to me today. I popped off the door real quick to see what the deal was and it looked like the glass was in the way. To others that have had to do this, did you have to remove the glass to make the fix?
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Old 02-09-2012, 05:39 PM   #19
REXOne
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same thing just happened to me today. took the panel off and there was the bolt lying on the bottom of the door. bolted it back on and seems to be fine. hopefully it'll stay that way. thanks nasioc!
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Old 09-11-2012, 03:28 PM   #20
P333t333
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Default Wind down the window when you have the barrel in place.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DrummerboyWRX View Post
I had this happen to me today. I popped off the door real quick to see what the deal was and it looked like the glass was in the way. To others that have had to do this, did you have to remove the glass to make the fix?
I've just had the same problem. It doesn't look like it but if you wind the window down, you can get at the bolt hole. I'd already fiddled the lock barrel into place with the window up. You'll also need it up to retrieve the bolt.
I'd guess you'll break or bend something if you try to wind the window with the barrel not in position. It's also a hell of a lot easier to get the door card back on with the window down so don't wind it back up till you're done

Big thanks to this forum for helping a mechanical idiot get this fixed in under an hour.
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Old 07-11-2013, 04:52 AM   #21
scoobyRx
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Glad I found this thread. Googled what I was looking for and this was the second one listed. I was figuring it was an attempted break in but this sounds much simpler. Thanks.
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Old 11-23-2013, 02:47 PM   #22
sc00by77
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Thumbs up

Hi all, many thanks to all of you who posted help in this thread. My driver side lock cylinder got loose and eventually fell out (into the door). After following the general instructions here I found the bolt sitting at the bottom of the door, fitted it back properly and secured the bolt.

Another tip I found elsewhere but don't recall now is that the bezel for the handle/latch inside the car is pretty difficult to pry out and you may risk snapping it if you put too much pressure - solution: leave this part alone, when you pop the rest of the door panel up the bezel should pop out on its own. I was a bit freaked out to allow that but went for it and had success.

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Old 11-26-2013, 06:19 PM   #23
drewhumphrey
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I would take it apart and see what's broken and maybe try to fix. Then take it in to Subaru and see how much it is to fix. If it's ridiculous argue (always an option if you're tight on money) or file an insurance claim.
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Old 01-22-2014, 02:53 PM   #24
SirRichieLee
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Hm, seems to be a common thing to happen. It has happened to mine too. I just don't hear the bolt floating around in my door anywhere. I wonder if it's wedged somewhere in there.
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Old 02-13-2014, 09:20 PM   #25
Cvryan
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Hey all, I just fixed this problem on my 2003 2.5RS this afternoon. The key cylinder had come loose and the handle was beginning to pull away from the car, too. Be more careful than I because I broke a few of my trim pieces. The plastic is really brittle with age!

helpful Tools:

Panel Poppers
10mm socket, drive and extension
10mm wrench
magnet
flashlight

As others have said, it is relatively easy and you can probably fix this yourself. Take the door panel off. First, remove the screw in the handle cup on the door. Then pull the handle and window controls up out of the door panel and unplug the unit. Be careful, I snapped mine unfortunately while pulling it out.

You can remove the trim around the door handle now, or leave it on and allow it to pop off when you pull the whole door panel forward ( I opted to pull mine off in advance and it snapped under the pressure). Don't remove the screw behind the door handle itself, this piece will stay attached when the door panel is removed. Lastly, pull the cover off at the top corner of the door near the side mirror.

Then there are plugs along the bottom and sides that a pair of panel poppers will help you break loose. Once you pop them loose (pull straight out), lift up on the panel and it should come off.

Once inside, peel back the plastic barrier and watch out for the sticky black goop that holds it on.
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/cvry...tml?sort=3&o=2

With the window up, remove the 10mm bolt to the right (facing you) of the door handle. There isn't enough clearance for a socket and ratchet so you need a wrench, or get creative. Once this bolt is out, roll the window down. The pic is of the outside.
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/cvry...tml?sort=3&o=0

With the window down you can access the left bolt (facing you) which is what has come loose or fallen off completely that is causing the key cylinder/ lock to be loose or fall in. If the bolt fell off I would imagine its down in your door panel, mine was just loose.

http://s41.photobucket.com/user/cvry...tml?sort=3&o=3


The cylinder only sits in the bracket one way and the metal loop will need to be up top and on the inside of the door allowing the metal of the door to be pinched between the handle and the key cylinder/ lock.
Other pics:

http://s41.photobucket.com/user/cvry...tml?sort=3&o=4
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/cvry...tml?sort=3&o=1

Last edited by Cvryan; 02-13-2014 at 09:23 PM. Reason: Pictures
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