51 21 170 Removing and installing or replacing outside handle from left or right front door

Lift out cover plate.

Fig 1: Lifting Out Cover Plate

Insert special tool 51 3 202 and lever retaining tab (1) on locking plate (2) over the retaining lug (3).

Fig 2: Inserting Special Tool & Removing Retaining Tab On Locking Plate Over Retaining Lug

Insert special tool 51 3 201 in sliding bore on locking plate (2) and press locking plate forwards with raised retaining tab (1).

Remove both special tools.

Fig 3: Identifying Sliding Bore On Locking Plate

Installation:

Insert special tool 51 3 201 in sliding bore (1) of locking plate (2) and pull it backwards.

Check function.

Fig 4: Pulling Special Tool Backward

Up to 09/98:

Lift out lower edge of outside handle and pull obliquely downwards to remove.

Fig 5: Removing Lower Edge Of Outside Handle

From 09/98:

CAUTION: Optical entry aid! A fiber optics cable is connected to the outside door handle.
Do not kink fiber optics cable.

Lift out outside door handle at bottom and pull out at an angle approx. 5 cm towards bottom.

Installation:

The bending radius of the fiber optics cable must not be less than 20 mm.

From 09/98:

Detach inside plastic cover (1) from outside door handle.

Fig 6: Detaching Inside Plastic Cover From Outside Door Handle

From 09/98:

Release screw (1) and remove light output module (2) from outside door handle.

Fig 7: Removing Light Output Module From Outside Door Handle

From 09/98:

If necessary, detach retainer (1).

Disconnect fiber optics cable (2) from light output module (3).

Fig 8: Disconnecting Fiber Optics Cable From Light Output Module