73, driver door is stuck closed

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Dec 10, 2007 | 02:12 AM

murraybs

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 361

Likes: 0

From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California

73, driver door is stuck closed

The outside door handle acts like the door's locked regardless of what I do with the key or the interior lock (non-power). Also, my interior handle is missing (like it was ripped off by Bubba's impressive pulling arm) and from what I understand, it didn't work even before the handle was forcibly removed.

I'm guessing I need to dissect the door in order to fix this, so is there a guide anywhere (as I don't have a manual)?

Thanks guys,

Dec 10, 2007 | 07:48 AM

vettesbydesign

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 4,102

Likes: 1

From: Forsyth Illinois

I've dosed the lock/latch mec. down w/a lublicant from the top of the door panel,and got at it w/a long sturdt screw driver.A pain,but do-able.....

Dec 10, 2007 | 07:56 AM

Ragtop_Rob

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 21,234

Likes: 19

From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD

St. Jude Donor '17

Ok you are having a tough day for sure!

It gets better from here!

As the last post mentioned, you can usally get it to open with a CAREFULLY worked screw driver - the door linkage may have broken or it is just all rusted or gummed up. Be careful when doing this one, it is delicate stuff in there. Plenty of CRC 56 or equivilant is good!!

Dec 10, 2007 | 09:26 AM

murraybs

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 361

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From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California

Any pictures/diagrams of what I need to stab at with the screwdriver?

Even a good description of what I need to push on would work.

Dec 10, 2007 | 10:17 AM

Durango_Boy

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 24,125

Likes: 15

From: Columbia Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraybs

Any pictures/diagrams of what I need to stab at with the screwdriver?

Even a good description of what I need to push on would work.

Here, arrow, is where you put the screw driver and push.

You will have to pull the top of the door panel back away from the door itself to get a good view of this mechanism. Once you can actually see down in there you will put it together with this pic and understand.

The door will almost pop right open. The tip may slide off a few times, so stay at it. Also, look down in there with a screw driver, and see if the black plastic water shield is still in place. If it is, you have a harder task ahead of you.

Dec 10, 2007 | 06:12 PM

dtamustang

Pro

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 721

Likes: 105

From: hernando fl

that happened to my 80 , push hard on the door at the rear, like you are trying to force it closed further and try it. did the trick on mine. the striker was way out of adjustment .
don

Dec 10, 2007 | 06:18 PM

murraybs

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 361

Likes: 0

From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtamustang

that happened to my 80 , push hard on the door at the rear, like you are trying to force it closed further and try it. did the trick on mine. the striker was way out of adjustment .
don

Tried that, no luck.

Durango_boy: Thanks for the pic, I'll try that a little later today.