C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

door lock fell out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 20, 2001 | 03:39 PM
  #1  
phat82's Avatar
phat82
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
Default door lock fell out

Well let me start by saying that I love my car, but I sure would like to get locked in a room with the engineer who designed our C3 doors. That aside, could someone with experience reattaching the clip and lock acutator rod please inform me as to the proper procedure.

P.S. I'm about 2 sec. from taking a blow torch to the $*@& thing!

Appreciate any help.

Sincerely,

Frustrated in Norman.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2001 | 06:28 PM
  #2  
FeedVaal's Avatar
FeedVaal
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)

Sorry I can't be of much help as I've not attempted that myself. My Haynes manual seems to indicate that the door handle should be removed?
From the looks of that area I think you need munchkin sized hands.
Good luck with it anyway.
:cheers:

Go OU!
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2001 | 07:45 PM
  #3  
GaryS's Avatar
GaryS
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)

If you are talking about the spring clip that holds the lock cylinder to the door, it is just a piece of spring metal that is wedged under the two small lips of the lock cylinder. I have found that applying a little lubrication to the inside of the fiberglass will allow the spring clip to slide under the lock cylinder. Secondly, the small clip that holds the rod to the lock mechanism sometimes breaks. My buddy's 73 had this happen and he just bought some new clips. The rod goes through the hole at the top of the clip and then the clip snaps onto the rod, securing it. Do you have an Assembly Instruction Manual? This may show you how all of this stuff goes together.
Gary
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2001 | 07:47 PM
  #4  
The_Dude's Avatar
The_Dude
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)

Take the door panel off and buy a set of those really long needle nose type visegrips. Worked like a charm for me.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2001 | 07:52 PM
  #5  
adam's Avatar
adam
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX, USA
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)


Heyt Phat82;

It's not a big deal; Mine has come loose 3 times. I've been inside the door numerous times.

The lock has a slot that the rod slips into. The lock itself (as noted above) is held in place by
a spring clip. You push the lock in and use a needle nose pliers to hold the clip. You need to
get the clip in there next to the lock so that you can slide it around the lock.
If you have big hands you will have problems.

Now, I don't know how to keep it there - my 81 has the factory alarm and they put a
switch on the clip to check that the lock stays in the car. But infortunately this clip
works its way off...

Do get the AIM to see the pictures... They're on ebay all the time, try for $20.
Pacific corvette also sells them for $15 plus shipping.

Reply
Old Nov 21, 2001 | 08:32 AM
  #6  
virtue4u's Avatar
virtue4u
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
Likes: 15
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)

I agree that the long skinny needle nose pliers are essential for working inside the cramped door.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2001 | 08:56 AM
  #7  
Mike69@ECS's Avatar
0Mike69@ECS
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: door lock fell out (virtue4u)

I agree that the long skinny needle nose pliers are essential for working inside the cramped door.
:yesnod:

With the long needle nose you can access the lock area with the window rolled down.

In order to stop this from happening again you might want to place some epoxy on the back of the door where the edge of spring clip sits to stop it from backing off the lock again.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2001 | 07:08 PM
  #8  
Steve Straus's Avatar
Steve Straus
Safety Car
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 6
From: Charles Town WV
Default Re: door lock fell out (phat82)

I just reattached it by performing some creative arm and finger yoga and using my skinny hands and fingers.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To door lock fell out

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:26 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE