Durango Boy......need your help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
Durango Boy......need your help
I checked durango's posts regarding doors that won't open and tried my luck in figuring out what's wrong with mine. My driver's side door won't open from the outside but will open from inside. I pulled the door panel to look and everything seems to be intact (that is, according to my inexperienced sight and touch). What else is there to do? Durango......HELP. BTW, THANK YOU!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Sounds like the outside door handle rod is bent or is not long enough to release the latch. You will need to unbend it some effectively lengthening the rod, or if it is an adjustable one unscrew it a bit. From what you said about it looking ok, the door handle outside DOES operate the link right?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: High Desert California
What I meant by "looked ok" was when I took the door panel off and everything seems to work and found nothing in the door that might have came loose and fell off. It's when i try to open it from outside that it won't work. How do I check the outer door handle?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
There is a link that goes from the outer door handle to the latch mechinism. It is either bent or fell off because the retainer clip is MIA. Here is a couple pictures so you know what to look for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
If you look at the first picture, you will see 2 studs sticking through with a nut on them. Remove these two nuts and the handle will come out from the outside. You will need to disconnect the link too.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Sorry I'm late...Sperkins...I'll deal with you later. 
IF you can get that clip off without drawing blood, your next task is to get to the two 7/16" nuts that holds the door handle assembly in. If you get both of these off...one will come with the stud...the assembly will pull right out from the top. This will give you easy access to that linkage for replacement. Because it's got so many bends...it's very hard to tell if it really is bent.
That being said...I doubt that bar is bent. It's very tough. Chances are better that the locking mechanism is worn. It happens slowly, and the mechanism doesn't always fail totally at one time. Certain functions fall off before others. I would suggest replacing this mechanism with a new one. I think you can get one for $80 from some parts vendors.
They are tough to wrestle in and out, and it's not a job for an impatient man. Once you are done though, adjust all the linkages that have threaded adjustments...which include that door handle adjuster, and you will have a tight finely tuned locking and opening system.
IF you can get that clip off without drawing blood, your next task is to get to the two 7/16" nuts that holds the door handle assembly in. If you get both of these off...one will come with the stud...the assembly will pull right out from the top. This will give you easy access to that linkage for replacement. Because it's got so many bends...it's very hard to tell if it really is bent.
That being said...I doubt that bar is bent. It's very tough. Chances are better that the locking mechanism is worn. It happens slowly, and the mechanism doesn't always fail totally at one time. Certain functions fall off before others. I would suggest replacing this mechanism with a new one. I think you can get one for $80 from some parts vendors.
They are tough to wrestle in and out, and it's not a job for an impatient man. Once you are done though, adjust all the linkages that have threaded adjustments...which include that door handle adjuster, and you will have a tight finely tuned locking and opening system.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
or your door handle could have just broke like the last 2 of mine, but taking off those 2 nuts on the bottom of the door handle will definatly make you start swearing. make sure you have a lot of time before you start this job.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 0
From: Edgewater (20 miles south of Daytona) Florida
Gettin your nuts off!
...and dont drop your nuts when you get them off. You may never be able to get down to it in the dark corner of never-never land where they ALWAYS drop 
on the door bottom.
on the door bottom.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
To be perfectly honest, I would suggest replacing the latching mechanism, and the door handle mechanism. The rod link are usually okay, but check them, and if they are worn or loose then replace them too. The best way to enjoy a trouble free door for many years is to replace everything like it was new from the factory.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I got most of the new stuff on Ebay, but the main vendors sell the stuff too. Doc's, Paragon, Mid America, Zip...get prices from all of them as well as Ebay.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I agree, I bought a replacement for my 78' there. They come up all the time. Think I paid 20 bucks for it and it was like new.