Friends 69 convert door problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Grove N.J.
Friends 69 convert door problem
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all Vette sisters and brothers ! My friends 69 vert drivers door can't open now after after something popped when he tryed to open it .The inside door handle won't work either . Something with the rod or and or hardware fell off or something . Problem is THE DOOR IS CLOSED , any ideas ??? . I'm sure we can fix it if we can get it opened ! , thanks !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,422
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
This is a really common problem with older C3's. There are many links in CF to detailed instructions on how to get the door open. Simplistically, you can roll the window down, and stick a long narrow screwdriver down into the latch mechanism and trigger it to release and open the door.
It's getting late for me to try to find the past CF posts. Try a search function.
But what you have to do...once bit, twice shy..is buy a new latch. For 69 and up, last time I searched, they are readily available. 68 owners...you're on your own!!! The latch assemblies are relatively crude. they have internal lever arms of 0.070 inch stamped steel parts. There are pivot holes in the lever arms which have no bearings..just a little grease for holes in the lever arms to pivot. With age, dust/sand gets into the mechanism and begins wearing the pivot holes. As the holes begin to wear, things get sloppy. The fatal moment occurs when one of the levers jambs a little and someone tries to force the opening...this bends a lever arm...at this juncture, my opinion, is that your latch is history. Once again, try to find the detailed CF discussions and photos on how to open the door. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and see what's required to open it. Once you see how to use the long screwdriver to unlatch ...practice on the door that works!!! That's what I did. Once you can trigger opening a operating door latch, you can then go after the non-opening latch.
It's getting late for me to try to find the past CF posts. Try a search function.
But what you have to do...once bit, twice shy..is buy a new latch. For 69 and up, last time I searched, they are readily available. 68 owners...you're on your own!!! The latch assemblies are relatively crude. they have internal lever arms of 0.070 inch stamped steel parts. There are pivot holes in the lever arms which have no bearings..just a little grease for holes in the lever arms to pivot. With age, dust/sand gets into the mechanism and begins wearing the pivot holes. As the holes begin to wear, things get sloppy. The fatal moment occurs when one of the levers jambs a little and someone tries to force the opening...this bends a lever arm...at this juncture, my opinion, is that your latch is history. Once again, try to find the detailed CF discussions and photos on how to open the door. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and see what's required to open it. Once you see how to use the long screwdriver to unlatch ...practice on the door that works!!! That's what I did. Once you can trigger opening a operating door latch, you can then go after the non-opening latch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Grove N.J.
This is a really common problem with older C3's. There are many links in CF to detailed instructions on how to get the door open. Simplistically, you can roll the window down, and stick a long narrow screwdriver down into the latch mechanism and trigger it to release and open the door.
It's getting late for me to try to find the past CF posts. Try a search function.
But what you have to do...once bit, twice shy..is buy a new latch. For 69 and up, last time I searched, they are readily available. 68 owners...you're on your own!!! The latch assemblies are relatively crude. they have internal lever arms of 0.070 inch stamped steel parts. There are pivot holes in the lever arms which have no bearings..just a little grease for holes in the lever arms to pivot. With age, dust/sand gets into the mechanism and begins wearing the pivot holes. As the holes begin to wear, things get sloppy. The fatal moment occurs when one of the levers jambs a little and someone tries to force the opening...this bends a lever arm...at this juncture, my opinion, is that your latch is history. Once again, try to find the detailed CF discussions and photos on how to open the door. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and see what's required to open it. Once you see how to use the long screwdriver to unlatch ...practice on the door that works!!! That's what I did. Once you can trigger opening a operating door latch, you can then go after the non-opening latch.
It's getting late for me to try to find the past CF posts. Try a search function.
But what you have to do...once bit, twice shy..is buy a new latch. For 69 and up, last time I searched, they are readily available. 68 owners...you're on your own!!! The latch assemblies are relatively crude. they have internal lever arms of 0.070 inch stamped steel parts. There are pivot holes in the lever arms which have no bearings..just a little grease for holes in the lever arms to pivot. With age, dust/sand gets into the mechanism and begins wearing the pivot holes. As the holes begin to wear, things get sloppy. The fatal moment occurs when one of the levers jambs a little and someone tries to force the opening...this bends a lever arm...at this juncture, my opinion, is that your latch is history. Once again, try to find the detailed CF discussions and photos on how to open the door. If you buy a new latch, you can hold it in your hand and see what's required to open it. Once you see how to use the long screwdriver to unlatch ...practice on the door that works!!! That's what I did. Once you can trigger opening a operating door latch, you can then go after the non-opening latch.
