I traveled for a week on business, came home and the Drivers Door would not open, got in passenger side, pulled out seat belt it closed on, still no luck, gave it a tap... and.... now the out side door handle does not function. Inside still works.
Any advise?

I took the door panel off and still could not figure it out. Summer is around the corner and do not want to do a BATMAN getting in!
Thanks
Bryan

 

The rod probably fell off, there are little clips that go over the end of the rods and snap onto the rods to hold them in. Look for that stuff hanging off loose or in the bottom of the door.

 

Beyond my scope of talent I guess, I took the door panel off again today. To me, it looks like I would need to cut away some of the insde door away to access it all.
Thank God it stays in the garage and Susan is always on the ride, she can open the door from the inside.
Where could I take it for such a repair? Do people specialize in restorations of doors??

Lots of new stuff goes on her tomorrow, steering control valve, shocks and some other items.
I am not sure I am cut out for this hobby. Boating is less painful and cost just as much, X2. LOL
Thanks for the reply.
Bryan

 

Bryan

Don't freak out yet...just takes a little patience and instruction. There was a recent discussion on this and the link below was posted to an article on 78 door repair. Lots of different things can cause door locks to act up. Check it out first before throwing in the towel...

Door Lock Repair

 

I have a 78 & was just looking inside the dr. door a few hrs. ago. Had the door panel off. Mine has a plastic cover held on by 2 machine screws that I think might be to stop a thief from slim jimming the lock- not sure- & didn't do a search. The rod to the handle runs straight uo & down & is close to the door skin. Yhe rod is threaded on the bottom to allow adjustment which was my intention but it looked like you would have to disconnect the clips to the inner door lock & the inner door handle then unbolt the latch mechanism- wodk ir out- & then maybe you could get to the rod to the handle. I did it yrs. ago- just don't remember how. Mine works- was just going to adjust it but decided not to. It did look time intensive. Maybe someone will explain it to us or give us a lead to a post. Just don't remember how- sorry. I don't think it's too hard IF you've done it before. Maybe post your area & someone might agree to help you or do it for good old cash. Would need to be someone with c3 exper. to do it in a reasonable amount of time. Anyone out there remember how this is done? lonebull

 

I guess he was posting while I was typing! The plastic piece I mentioned is a water shield. The article dosen't address latch removal but you should at least be able to determine if your rod going up to your handle is disconnected. Someone may yet post another clue to latch removal or tell you how to reattach the rod. I can tell you the rod has threads on the bottom- visible & the clip is at the top I believe. Close quarters- just don't see how you could get your hand in there to reattach or adjust the handle. I'll do some looking & get bavk to you if I find something. Mine dosen't have power locks. It is definitely doable- just have to figure it out. lonebul

 

My search turned up nothing. Have 2 manuals- only the Haynes mentions it &is not at all clear on the subject. Did not mention your problem at all. If no one explains it to us maybe I'll tear mine apart to see what we need to do. Someone may come to your rescue. Let's give them awhile. lonebull I know how to spell! hitting the wrong buttons!

 

OK 78 here we go - On a 78-remove the door panel -peel back plastic protector sheet upper rear exposing latch area- remove 2 machine screws holding the plastic latch shield- with window up this shield can be removed thru the latch access hole- you can now see a flat piece of metal going from the latch body toward the outer skin of the door- it has a flat clip that slides over the end of it & this clip holds a threaded rod to the bar - the rod threads into a barrel nut which has a half inch pin attached to it at a 90 degree angle normally pointing to rear of car- the clip is thin & easy to lose into the boeels of the lower inner door cavity so be careful- I was lucky-using a long fine sharp common screwdriver you can get under the clip- turning the screwdriver a little wiexpose an indention which holds the clip to the latch bar- use a drop cord or someone with a flashlight as both hands are necessary- you may have to unclip the inner door lock rod that comes up diaganolly from the armrest area to allow roomto access-sorry!- as you lift the clip off the plate you have to push the rod away from you about a half inch- this should allow the rod going up to the outer door latch to be free- you can adjust the outer door latch by screwing the barrel nut CW or CCw depending on your needs-thi rod has a clip at the top attaching it to the outer door handle. Now in your case the rod is probably not connected either at the top or bottom. The clips are necessary at both ends to secure the rod. You should be able to see your problem even before removing the plastic cover from the door with the glass down by looking in from the top. In my case the lower flat clip came all the way off. I tied a piece of fishing line to the closest end before tryinh to put it back on to keep from losing it. Using long needle nose pliers hold the near end of it & pull it onto the flat latch bar until the indent drops into the hole in the bar- the push the barrel nut pin ito the hole in the clip. I think the clip clings to it. Once in remove the fishing line. I may have hit a few wrong keys but there's your answer. Questions? just ask. If necessary ask for my phone number. This should at least help you see the problem. lonebull

 

78- There is alot of info on a search of "door latch repair" complete with pictures. Good luck. lonebull

 

Thanks, I will continue to research. She got a new steering control valve and shocks today. Baby steps... I should have no more leaks in my garage as of today!
Thank you all again.
Bryan Tuvell

 

Order the assembly instruction manual (AIM). It shows the installation of all the door hardware, including the various lock rods and clips. There is no need to cut away any part of the door.