Door latch mechanism
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
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From: Tucson Arizona
Door latch mechanism
Hi I'm replacing my drivers side and passenger side door lock/latch mechanism's on my '80. Any one have any walk through s or guides on the easiest way to do this?
Thanks
-Joe
Thanks
-Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I dunno bout 73, but on a 77 and 81, all you got to do is put the glass all the way up and remove the door panel. There are 3 screws that hold the latch in the door and then the rods inside the door for lock, door handle inside and outside. Kind of a PITA job requiring some bandaids and beer, but not real hard
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 8
From: Shortsville NY
omg... the clip on the door mechanism that holds the rod from the outside door handle is a night mare... find a small child or someone with small hands(my girlfriend was able to put it on in about 1 minute). Before she came out, I was having luck with putting the clip in a pair of needle nose pliars, and taping it closed (so I didn't have to hold it shut while I tried to squeese my fat hand in to the door). I was then able to get it started on the lever of the mechanism just enough so that I could pull hard on the pliars and free the clip, with it staying on the lever.
and like sixfooter said, buy a case of beer.
and like sixfooter said, buy a case of beer.
Last edited by darklordftt; Aug 4, 2007 at 09:57 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
omg... the clip on the door mechanism that holds the rod from the outside door handle is a night mare... find a small child or someone with small hands(my girlfriend was able to put it on in about 1 minute). Before she came out, I was having luck with putting the clip in a pair of needle nose pliars, and taping it closed (so I didn't have to hold it shut while I tried to squeese my fat hand in to the door). I was then able to get it started on the lever of the mechanism just enough so that I could pull hard on the pliars and free the clip, with it staying on the lever.
and like sixfooter said, buy a case of beer.
and like sixfooter said, buy a case of beer.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 8
From: Shortsville NY
Tip for the next time you do it, the clip installs on the lock and then you push the linkage (rod) through. I fought one for about an hour the first time I did one, then a friend of mine who is a 50+ year old Corvette bodyman showed me the trick. GM designed the cars to go together on a assembly line. Latch mechanisim is pulled out whenever you have to replace door handle, I clen them up and hose them down with motorcycle chain lube and they work like butter! You may need to go to NAPA store and look for rod end clips if you break one like I did for front handle/door lock rods. I hate working on doors especially power window assemblies.
