Help with 77 Door panel removal
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Help with 77 Door panel removal
Hello all. I've had my 77 for a year now and the stars have finally aligned and I can start working on it. I know. I know.
First let me say I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I can read and have friends that have offered to help me. AND I have you guys. What more do I need?
My first project is the driver's side door. The outside door handle doesn't work. It depresses into the door but the latch does not open the door. I am assuming that I have to remove the door panel and see what has broken or has come loose.
Can someone point me to a diagram on the proper steps in order to remove the panel?
Your help is greatlly appreciated.
First let me say I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I can read and have friends that have offered to help me. AND I have you guys. What more do I need?
My first project is the driver's side door. The outside door handle doesn't work. It depresses into the door but the latch does not open the door. I am assuming that I have to remove the door panel and see what has broken or has come loose.
Can someone point me to a diagram on the proper steps in order to remove the panel?
Your help is greatlly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The assembly instruction manual (AIM) has diagrams showing the installation of the door trim panel, the outside door handle, the operating rods, and a thousand other things. Order the AIM.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Nov 1, 2013 at 01:58 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
While you are waiting for the AIM though, there are screws around the perimeter of the door as well as on the pull straps to take out. The biggest hassle is taking off the clips behind the door lock and window crank (unless you have power windows). They make a special tool to take those off, and I would go to any auto parts store and get one. I took mine off with a stiff peice of wire with a hook bent in the end. When the clip went "bing", it was only by luck that it ended up on the garage floor next to me...get the tool. Door panel comes off pretty easily after that, and I can't help you with the latch since I have never touched that, but I would look for a rod that is obviously detached from the door handle mechanism. Very likely, it just came loose and disengaged. Be sure window is up so you can see something.
John
John
