1971 can't get the door open HELP!!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
1971 can't get the door open HELP!!
Help...
I cant get my drivers door to open.
I got a little stuck a couple of times and now it wont open at all.
The levers both inside and out appear to be working properly.
They will both allow the door to release past the first latch but the door hangs up on the second safety latch.
in short the door half opens thats it.
I could really use some advice and would appreciate any suggestion.
I cant get my drivers door to open.
I got a little stuck a couple of times and now it wont open at all.
The levers both inside and out appear to be working properly.
They will both allow the door to release past the first latch but the door hangs up on the second safety latch.
in short the door half opens thats it.
I could really use some advice and would appreciate any suggestion.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Originally Posted by sbibeau
Help...
I cant get my drivers door to open.
I got a little stuck a couple of times and now it wont open at all.
The levers both inside and out appear to be working properly.
They will both allow the door to release past the first latch but the door hangs up on the second safety latch.
in short the door half opens thats it.
I could really use some advice and would appreciate any suggestion.
I cant get my drivers door to open.
I got a little stuck a couple of times and now it wont open at all.
The levers both inside and out appear to be working properly.
They will both allow the door to release past the first latch but the door hangs up on the second safety latch.
in short the door half opens thats it.
I could really use some advice and would appreciate any suggestion.
If you can get the door panel off ( doubtful ), you can move the rod by hand and all should be well. If you can't get the door panel off, your gonna have to reach up under it and move it by hand, or ....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
No go The hood still wont open
Thanks for the suggestion but I dont think the lock is the cause.
The lock appears to be working normally and I unlocked and locked it a bunch of times. no difference. unless there is something there that I am missing.
The lock appears to be working normally and I unlocked and locked it a bunch of times. no difference. unless there is something there that I am missing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
My car was doing the same thing recently. The mechanisim was stuck and the door would not open. Pulled the seat out, pulled the door panel off, and sprayed PB Blaster all over the mechanisim for a few days. Still would not let go! 
Got out a small hand held hacksaw and cut the door striker off from between the door and the opening from the inside of the car. Not too bad of a job realy. Sounds worse than it was. The striker is cheap and easy to replace. The latch mechanisim is not.
Got the door open and was able to work the latch back and forth enough to finaly free it. Cleaned it up and hit it with a fresh squirt of lithium grease and worked it around a lot untill I was confident it would open again if I shut the door. Works VERY smoothly now.
The only tricky part was getting the stub of the striker to unscrew. I used my MIG welder to tack the stud to the big fender washer and then used a vise grip to unscrew the stub. You might want to cover the paint in the jamb with duct tape while you work in the area to protect the paint.
Worked for me!
-Mark.
Got out a small hand held hacksaw and cut the door striker off from between the door and the opening from the inside of the car. Not too bad of a job realy. Sounds worse than it was. The striker is cheap and easy to replace. The latch mechanisim is not.
Got the door open and was able to work the latch back and forth enough to finaly free it. Cleaned it up and hit it with a fresh squirt of lithium grease and worked it around a lot untill I was confident it would open again if I shut the door. Works VERY smoothly now.
The only tricky part was getting the stub of the striker to unscrew. I used my MIG welder to tack the stud to the big fender washer and then used a vise grip to unscrew the stub. You might want to cover the paint in the jamb with duct tape while you work in the area to protect the paint.
Worked for me!
-Mark.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by sray454
You may not like the answer, but this is common. The lock activator rod has a weak ( narrow ) point which, under use, has a tendency to bend, thus shortening in length. When this happens, it can't completely disengage the lock.
If you can get the door panel off ( doubtful ), you can move the rod by hand and all should be well. If you can't get the door panel off, your gonna have to reach up under it and move it by hand, or ....
If you can get the door panel off ( doubtful ), you can move the rod by hand and all should be well. If you can't get the door panel off, your gonna have to reach up under it and move it by hand, or ....
happened on mine, I was lucky that I was still restoring it and had the door panels off so I could get inside the door to trigger the mechanism to open the door.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
they're right about the outside handle being a weak link, but the bar operating the inside handles doesn't seem too weak to me. You can't hold the inside handle out all the way and gently ram your body into the door battering ram style? Make sure you've unlocked the door from the Outside using the key, kuz it is possible for the inside lock rod to break.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,187
Likes: 4,008
From: Connecticut, USA
This is very common on the C3 cars,kind of like the PB setup!
I've found at times if the lock is 1/2 way between open and closed and the door is jammed to move thelock **** back and forth on the inside while trying the inside door handle. Once you get the door open remove the door panel. You'll see the rods going to the latch assembly. Remove the rods by sliding the clips off,then remove the 3 screws holding the latch in place. The latch is probably full of old grease and dirt. Use soem brake cleaner and really soak it. Blow it dry and check the operation by hand with a screw driver to latch it, it should snap open pretty good. Use some white grease to spray in there to lube it again and reinstall it in the door. You're going to have to play with adjusting the throw on the outside handle to get it just right. Do not shut the door until you're confident the latch locks and unlocks and works.
Good luck,
Gary
I've found at times if the lock is 1/2 way between open and closed and the door is jammed to move thelock **** back and forth on the inside while trying the inside door handle. Once you get the door open remove the door panel. You'll see the rods going to the latch assembly. Remove the rods by sliding the clips off,then remove the 3 screws holding the latch in place. The latch is probably full of old grease and dirt. Use soem brake cleaner and really soak it. Blow it dry and check the operation by hand with a screw driver to latch it, it should snap open pretty good. Use some white grease to spray in there to lube it again and reinstall it in the door. You're going to have to play with adjusting the throw on the outside handle to get it just right. Do not shut the door until you're confident the latch locks and unlocks and works.
Good luck,
Gary
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero Ca
there ya go, do what he said. If your door doesn't open that way, you're sol and your latch is bad. I'd try the screwdriver from above method, if you can't get it open you should cut the striker as stated above.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass Oregon
Door Pop
Originally Posted by Ed T
i have lightened up the pic so you can see better. just push the screwdriver straight back & the door will pop.
Lets see How many times do I have to practice that to make sure I never forget it...LOL 1...2...3...4...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by sbibeau
Anyone else care to take a shot at this one ???
I could use another suggestion.
Thanks
I could use another suggestion.
Thanks
You can pop the "C" latch that hooks the striker bolt if you take the long screwdriver recommended above. Roll down window and you may have to push back the plastic cover that protects the latch mechanism from water. If its had previous repair...it may already be gone.
Use a flashlight and screwdriver, locate the "C" latch and if you hit it just right...it will pop it and door will open. Send me email and I'll look for the photos and send...if you still need it. I won't be in office today but can pdf the article and send.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
hunt4cleanair,
Sounds like you have a god paper. I would like a copy for future problems if you wouldn't mind sending me a copy. bmclau5079@aol.com
Thanks
Sounds like you have a god paper. I would like a copy for future problems if you wouldn't mind sending me a copy. bmclau5079@aol.com
Thanks
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
wow very impressive
I can't believe how much effort you all put into helping me out.
Ed T the photos are a huge help and well appreciated.
This is my mission for the week to make this pig fly and I think with all this advice it should. Thanks again.
Ed T the photos are a huge help and well appreciated.
This is my mission for the week to make this pig fly and I think with all this advice it should. Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Sandown NH
I Got The Damn Door Open !!!!!!!!
I did it !!!
I got the thing open.
You all will never guess what it was.
I would have never found it if it werent for my junk door panels.
They are in bad shape so to hold them on I put some screws in the face of them. This made it possible to remove the door panel with little difficulty.
OK This is what it was.
I had the car repainted about a year ago.
When I was reassembling it I dropped one of the little nuts that holds the outside door handle on.
I never could find the little *%#*
Today I did.
It had fallen into the latch mechinisim.
I had opened and closed the door a hundred times since then with no indication of a problem. I guess it decided to find that magic spot where it could reak havoc and it sure did.
any way the nut is out and the other nut is happily opening and closing his door again.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Steve
I got the thing open.
You all will never guess what it was.
I would have never found it if it werent for my junk door panels.
They are in bad shape so to hold them on I put some screws in the face of them. This made it possible to remove the door panel with little difficulty.
OK This is what it was.
I had the car repainted about a year ago.
When I was reassembling it I dropped one of the little nuts that holds the outside door handle on.
I never could find the little *%#*
Today I did.
It had fallen into the latch mechinisim.
I had opened and closed the door a hundred times since then with no indication of a problem. I guess it decided to find that magic spot where it could reak havoc and it sure did.
any way the nut is out and the other nut is happily opening and closing his door again.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Steve
