Door sticks when opening

[Medflyer]

Hello everyone,

 

  just bought a beautiful 1968 Mooney 20F that has brought me into the aircraft ownership world.  Every once in an awhile I have issues opening the door from the outside.  I have seen a previous thread about this that was posted some time ago and I don’t believe the cause of the issue is the same.  It feels to me as I open the door latch that the clasps/pins are not opening all the way.  There have been no problems opening the door from the inside so that leaves me baffled a bit.  Has anyone else had this issue?

[Kelpro999]

5 hours ago, Medflyer said:

leaves me baffled a bit

Remove the interior door panel and see how the in / out levers connect. You’ll see the problem 

[Ragsf15e]

On 3/14/2024 at 8:20 AM, Medflyer said:

Hello everyone,

 

  just bought a beautiful 1968 Mooney 20F that has brought me into the aircraft ownership world.  Every once in an awhile I have issues opening the door from the outside.  I have seen a previous thread about this that was posted some time ago and I don’t believe the cause of the issue is the same.  It feels to me as I open the door latch that the clasps/pins are not opening all the way.  There have been no problems opening the door from the inside so that leaves me baffled a bit.  Has anyone else had this issue?

I agree with @Kelpro999, but if you just open the door halfway and open/close the outside latch, you can see both the top latch and aft/middle pin.  There is no bottom latch.  Can you see them move differently than with the interior handle?  Can you tell which one doesn’t seem to be opening all the way?

The top latch does have a little bit of a weird movement at the end to disconnect, maybe it’s not getting full throw?

[ArtVandelay]

I agree with [mention=13869]Kelpro999[/mention], but if you just open the door halfway and open/close the outside latch, you can see both the top latch and aft/middle pin.  There is no bottom latch.  Can you see them move differently than with the interior handle?  Can you tell which one doesn’t seem to be opening all the way?
The top latch does have a little bit of a weird movement at the end to disconnect, maybe it’s not getting full throw?

Why would it be different if opening from the inside vs outside as OP mentioned?

[PT20J]

10 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

Why would it be different if opening from the inside vs outside as OP mentioned?

The main part of the mechanism is connected to the interior handle. The outside handle is connected to this mechanism by a separate rod that is adjustable. 

[Fly Boomer]

9 minutes ago, PT20J said:

The main part of the mechanism is connected to the interior handle. The outside handle is connected to this mechanism by a separate rod that is adjustable. 

Skip FTW!

[Medflyer]

Thank you for the replies, currently on the road now and will check things as you all mentioned.  Especially helpful is the detail of the mechanisms and that the outer handle is adjustable!  Hoping it’s that simple as adjusting that rod.