Driver Door Latch

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Jul 16, 2011 | 10:47 AM

66 Vette

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 166

Likes: 10

From: Greenville Ohio

Driver Door Latch

I have a 1966 coupe that has issues with the Door Latch Release. The door opens fine with the outside latch release but I have difficulty with the inside Door Latch Release; I pull back as hard as I can and sometimes the Latch will not release. I removed the interior Door Panel looking for a linkage adjustment but could not find anything, it was just a rod with no adjustment. I am now asking for advise on how to permanantly fix this issue.
Thanks,

Jul 16, 2011 | 12:13 PM

mike coletta

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,459

Likes: 1,293

From: minneola fl

Take the door panel off again, and find the rod that connects from the door pull to the striker mechanism (it's the long one). First make sure that it is the correct length rod (when the door pull is in the rest position, forward, then the rod should have no pull on the release arm). I guess first you should make sure that it is hooked up. There is "z" bend in the rod at the door pull, and a 90 degree bend at the latch mechanism, with a locking clip. If you pull forward on the latching arm at the mechanism, it should release the star wheel, and open the door. I don't beleive that it is stuck in the pulled position, or the door wouldn't latch. You can loosen the 4 phillips head screws that hold the pull, and slide it forward to get more travel. Hope this helps.

Mike Coletta

Jul 16, 2011 | 12:57 PM

champs65

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 8,246

Likes: 114

From: Watkins Glen NY

I just had the same problem putting my passenger door all back together. I have a new rod in place since I lost the old one, and it just wouldn't quite open the door from the inside with the door panel on. Tried to shimmy the panel rearward just a little bit to get more throw from the door pull ****, but still wouldn't unlatch the door.

I don't know how long it will last, but I just bowed the rod out a bit to effectively shorten it,, put the panel back on, and so far, so good.

Jul 17, 2011 | 06:27 AM

66 Vette

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 166

Likes: 10

From: Greenville Ohio

Thanks for the replies. I believe the problem is more with the linkage not allowing full release, since it opens most of the time but I really have to put pressure backward pressure on the internal ****. I would have thought I would have to lengthen the rod instead of shortening it to obtain more travel and release the latch.

Jul 17, 2011 | 07:26 AM

GreaseMonkey

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 5,297

Likes: 3

From: Carlisle PA

PA Events Coordinator

The drvier's side mechanism did the same thing. I took both out and compared the two. If you look closely at the mechanism, you'll see an L shaped leg that operates the star wheel. On my driver's side door the little dog leg had worn and would not release the mechanism. The piece that worn acted as the actuator to operate the rest of the lock.

Jul 17, 2011 | 04:56 PM

fogaley

Pro

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 565

Likes: 81

From: Tulsa OK

door release

Try this. Remove the door panel again and take the door release mechanism off by removing the two phillips head screws, unhook the rod, then put the door release mech in a vise and use a round file to slot the two screw hold down holes rearward as far as you can without going out of the mech.
This will let you remount the mech further forward and you will regain the ability to release the door latch. The mech should not bottom out in the door panel slot now as you pull to release the door.
While the mech is off check to make sure the stud that the release pull ball screws onto is not loose, if it is rebrad it with a hammer or braze it back tight. Scott