4rensic22

I have read all of the posts on this topic and looked a the fix on Wilcox Corvettes with no luck. Today we hung the doors on the 78 project. The passenger door only had 1 bolt in each hinge (I know) I was checking the height of the door and managed to close it with the latch end of the door about 1/8 inch too high. Now the door won't open. The door panel and external handle are off and I have full access to the latch mechanism. I can move the mechanism fully with the inner door handle and a screwdriver. I think that that with the door too high the latch can't fully release from the pin. I sprayed everything down with lithium grease. The bottom hing bolt is loose but I can't access the top one without removing the dash, which probably won't survive the removal and reinstall.

Any help would be appreciated.

JayRay

If you have access to the door panel a die grinder to cut the door hanger will cost you less than destroying the dash panels. You can buy the grinder and new hanger for 1/2 the price of any dash piece.

I am sure someone with more experience will chime in. Pics?

4rensic22

Thanks Jay.

When you say cut the door hanger, are you talking about the striker pin? I think I can access that through a plate in the wheel well, but I will look tomorrow. I will also post some pics.

JayRay

Yea, the striker pin, it is like a $15-$20 part to replace where every piece in the dash is >$100+.

check this out also

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uck-latch.html

0Willcox Corvette

Can you get to this lever? If you can then the door should release. You'll have to push it pretty hard, but this is the emergency release lever and I've never had it fail.

4rensic22

I saw those instructions on your site and we tried that. I will try it again this morning and will let you know. Thanks

4rensic22

I pushed that lever with a large screwdriver this morning. It goes all the way to the stop. Nothing.

When the lever is pushed or when the inner door handle is pulled the door has 1/2"-3/4" play,

4rensic22

Update. The door is open. As a last resort, prior to cutting the striker, I put a heavy towel over the door. Youngest son kicked from the inside while I held the handle and it popped right open. I am going to switch out the lock mechanism with another door that I have .

Thanks to JayRay and Wilcox Corvettes for the advice!

0Willcox Corvette

good deal..

JayRay

Nice!