I posted last wk or so about my door lock issues on the DS of my 81. While jacking with it I must have broken or loosened something. I've already torn it down once, cleaned and lubed the mechanism and it worked (Thanks DUB) but since I have been jacking with it, it wont open again. All rods are connected etc but not opening. I have been using the tab on the inside to access the door. So, my question is, What exactly am I looking for on this mechanism that is broken or come loose or both? It operates smoothly since tearing it down last time and worked a few times and then nothing.
I dont want to tear it apart again if I dont have to but it looks like I have no choice but dont know what to look for once in there.
Any ideas?

 

Operating rod on the handle may not be long enough to push the unlatch arm far enough

 

That is true however, it is currently disconnected and won't open from in or outside

 

Upper case letters is not me yelling...it is for importance.
This is SIMPLE...so do not worry.

You have to remember...that if you have your rod from the outside handle...that goes to the latch...is extended too much...it actually begins to press on that tab of the latch that this rod is connected to and causes the latch to begin the OPENING FUNCTION....IF this happens...when the door is LOCKED...it will NOT UNLOCK AT ALL....because the latch is in the beginning open function.

Go in and remove the "lock-unlock" rod from the latch. Then YES..you have to disconnect the rod from the latch for the outside handle. ALSO REMOVE THE CLIP that held it to the latch. ONCE you have done this...manually move the tab on the latch that your "LOCK-UNLOCK" rod was attached to and feel how smooth it works. NOW...re-install the outside door handle and see how far you actually have to press down on that flat steel tab lever that the rod gets clipped to. Do not worry about having the clip in place...it does not matter at this time. IF when you are installing the rod into this tab...you actually feel that you are beginning to actuate the latch...THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE THE PROBLEM. Install the rod and move the "LOCK-UNLOCK" lever tab on the latch. If you feel that there is a bind or hard step in it...this is due to the rod is too long. Shorten the rod a turn or two and test again.

Now...you can also have an issue where you do not have enough length on the rod from the handle and it can not actuate the latch.

Also there is a SPECIAL CLIP that attaches to the rod BEFORE it gets installed onto the outside door handle. This CLIP IS VERY IMPORTANT....because without it...the rod can slide into the lever on the handle and get lodged and get stuck.

A picture would be great if you have any other problems.

DUB

 

If the outside handle rod is disconnected..it can not open the door.

Does the inner door handle open the door??? I know you wrote it does not. Just asking again to be sure.

Are you checking the latch operation with the door open...and using a screwdriver to latch the latch and checking it so you can see what is going on with the door open??

DUB

 

No, the latch does not operate from inside handle either. I have used the screw driver trick and it doesnt operate the latch either. So my first thought is the latch broke somehow or something became dislodged. If that is the case, what is it? What am I looking for? OR
is it just broken and its time for a new one. HELL, this one door has cost me a small fortune. I thought the old landcruisers were bad!!! I have new actuators coming next wk so I do have a little time to mess with this until I put it back together.

Thanks for all of the help...

DUB,
what would you need a picture of?

 

If your inside handle does not open or unlatch the latch. I have seen where the flat metal lever...that the rod clips into..can actually eat or wear a thin groove in the part that it presses against when you try to open the door..or unlatch the latch.

Does the "lock-unlock" lever on the latch feel like it has a detente in it and somewhat of a click when moved up or down? There is a spring in the latch that helps gold this and it could be broken.

I know you do not want to read this. But if you other door is working perfect. Remove the door panel and compare the latches. I have on more than I can count....I have removed both latches and set them side by side and I can usually find the problem. I have on about 96.23% of the time can fix the latch due to requiring a weld or adding metal to get it to work correctly.

The photo would be of the latch itself so I could compare it to one I have and see if I could see something...but if you remove the good one...you could do the same thing.

I know how you are feeling about this...but I have encountered this ( like I mentioned) numerous times. It is what it is. But I can also say you will feel like a big dumb donkey....if you just go buy one and then come to find out it is something you could have repaired or modified on.

DUB

 

The lock-unlock rod is fairly stiff which is why I'm replacing my actuators. They are pretty gummed up but, they do not feel like they have a snag in them. The operation is smooth but stiff if that makes sense. I have to take my PS panel off too because I want to clean and lube it also so I can ck its operation. Not so sure I want to pull it and compare the 2 but may not have a choice. I'm going to pull the DS latch today, and simulate the operation and see if I can identify the glitch in the linkage.

 

I do not know if I correctly communicated it. I am not so much worried about the rod that attaches to the latch..BUT rather the lever that the rod attaches to. That is what I am concerned about.

DUB

 

Copy that. When/if I get done w honey do's I'll have a chance to look at them

Thx