'81 door won't open
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
'81 door won't open
6 days old and already started. tried to open passenger door while locked- heard a pop and both int and ext door handles are loose as a goose now. lock still appears to work fine. i know i'm gonna have to get the panel off but how can i get the door open now??? :confused:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: '81 door won't open (bkirk)
You may have to screw up your door panels a little if neither handle works. If you remove the pull handle and door lock and the two upper screws, it'll be held at the bottom by a clip on each side. These are attached to the fiberboard but will tear out if forced. I hope you don't have to do that. :rolleyes:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford TX
Re: '81 door won't open (bkirk)
Take a flashlight and put a small wedge to gently pry the weatherstripping apart with the window down. With a little luck someone has removed the antitheft cover from the dook locking mechanism and you can take a small rod and release it. If not you will have to remove the door panels.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Re: '81 door won't open (bn7035)
thanks buffalo :seeya thank goodness i didn't pry that door panel off- i was about to start unscrewing when i tried a couple of more things. finally, i just took a slender screwdriver and released the toggle. sounds simple, i know...i guess there is a spring?? above just out of view. anyways i felt resistance when i tried the door handles but it still wouldn't work- guess what- door was locked!!! unlocked it and opened the door- voila! i'll say it again- thank goodness i didn't rip that door panel off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
