Help! The doors are stuck
Thread Starter
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Help! The doors are stuck
Hi,
I have recently bought a 1975 to restore and had a few questions regarding the doors. The passenger side door does not open with either the inside door handle or the outside door handle. I have tried the keys and inside switch to lock and unlock the doors and they are still stuck. To me it looks like the latch on the inside of the door is frozen.
Does anyone have any advice on how to open the door. Being new to owning a corvette and new to corvette forum help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
I have recently bought a 1975 to restore and had a few questions regarding the doors. The passenger side door does not open with either the inside door handle or the outside door handle. I have tried the keys and inside switch to lock and unlock the doors and they are still stuck. To me it looks like the latch on the inside of the door is frozen.
Does anyone have any advice on how to open the door. Being new to owning a corvette and new to corvette forum help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Covington, Virginia
If the window rolls down? use a flashlight and a coathanger to "snag" the door closer (the mechanism that allows the door to close/stay closed...mounted on the inside of the door, closest to the door post) and manually open the door. If you look into the door, there are several rods attached to the door closer, one for the lock, one for the inside handle, one for the outside handle, bend a small 90 in the coathanger (not a loop!! if you get the loop hung you might have to drive around with a coathanger hanging out) and catch on of the rod ends and pull. Be careful not to scratch the window??? Slim Jim might work, they are designed primarily to "unlock" not unlatch....good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Here is what you need to push on with a long flat head screw driver. It may slip off...but you want the latch up against the bulk head. You'll have to peel back the panel a little to see it with a flash light...but you'll see what I mean. After you get it off you'll be in good shape if you buy a new unit for $80 or so from most vendors. It may just need adjustment, but most of the time the parts have worn out and the latch no longer releases.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Franklin MA
I had the same problem on my 71. One of the member told me to turn the door **** to the lock position, snap the inside door handle 4 or 5 times. Then turn the **** to the unlock position and the door will open. Works for me every time. Hopefully, it will work for you.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
First uninstall the linkages, which includes the handle link. That's the touch one, getting in there to get it unclipped and adjusted properly when it goes back in.
Then there are a few screws that hold the latch assembly to the bulkhead. Remove those, and you CAN wrestle the assembly out of the hole in the door.
It's hard to get in and out and you will probably throw some tools. Just stay focused and stay at it.
