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Stuck Door

Eggo

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11:18 AM
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Feb 16, 2021
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Location
Newcastle, UK
The drivers door on my ‘73 satellite is stuck, it will open a little bit but seems like it’s stuck on the latch maybe, does anyone have any ideas of what it could be or what I could do to get it opening?

Just imported the car to the UK and it arrived this week, is my first car like this and am a little lost for what to do or try!

image.jpg
 
Lift and pull, I have seen them do this when the hinges are wore out.
 
Agree, just lift as you pull. Like mentioned, probably worn hinges. Shouldn't be anything else unless it's caught on the front fender?
 
Lift and pull, I have seen them do this when the hinges are wore out.
I’ve thought it might be but have tried quite a few times and it still isn’t opening, have tried spraying loads of wd40 on it and also trying to use as much force as possible but it just won’t budge
 
Agree, just lift as you pull. Like mentioned, probably worn hinges. Shouldn't be anything else unless it's caught on the front fender?
It seems like it’s caught on the latch maybe, only opens a tiny bit and gets stuck

image.jpg
 
Have friend try to open door, you lay on front seat and push with your feet. If pushing doesn't work a couple of 2 footed kicks might work. If you don't want an X-friend have hold the door handle but don't stand in front of door, make your choice.:D
 
Does it seem like the linkage using the inside and out handles are working? Could be the linkage separated. Try opening both handles at once with a friend as a stab. As posted, yeah...try the key to make sure it's not locked, if the lock is working you should feel this or hear it turning the key, though the door looks partly open. Next might be gently prying the door upwards with a lever under the inside of the door placing a panel under the lever bar to protect from damage; not brute force, just some 'nudging' action. If not, I'd try closing the door tightly with some force and then retrying....the gear on the post could be jammed and this action may free it.
 
Just an add: Lower the door glass an inch or so before you try this.
 
My passenger door acts somewhat like your problem and I have a 73. If I pull the lock up from the inside, it still won't open. When I use the key, there is a little resistance in the linkage to unlock but then it goes further and works just fine after that. I replaced the latching mechanism 10 years ago with a well used one because the old one was broken. I can put up with it but to me it's almost like a theft deterrent, LOL. Try lowering the glass all the way and see if you can see what moves in the latch. You might try a stiff piece of wire to encourage it to let go. Good luck!
 
By the way, I assume the passenger door works. If you can, do what I said above, roll window down to the point where you can see the actuator rods moving as you work the inside handle and then the outside handle. Knowing which rod releases the door latch might help you to jimmy it open. There are also door unlocking kits out there that have tools to help "Break in" to your own car or for that matter, someone else's, lol. Might be against the law these days for all I know! Having a FSM (Factory Service Manual) is also a handy thing to have. Especially the digital type so you can zoom in to trouble shoot!
 
Pillar striker plate can be loose and moving with the door, latch itself can be loose or just broke.
please do not pry , kick , 2x4 ect ect. the door.
If lifting by hand at the bottom edge while at the same time operating the handles interior and exterior will not open it.
It's time to remove the front seat and door panel so you can see what the problem is.
I am thinking both trip rods have came off , or broke the retain clips. On the handle or latch end.
With the panel off and window up you should be able to trip or release them.
Google a pic of your handle / latch assembly so you know what your dealing with.
 
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You may need to pull the trim panel off to get at the various parts/mechanisms from the inside so you can manipulate them to get it open.
 
I had a similar problem with the Charger where the driver door seemed to jam only part way open and I was dreading the idea of trying to pull the door panel off. Seems like the problem was the car was parked on an incline and the body flexing was enough to jam the door.

This may sound corny, but it’s hard to tell from the pictures. Is the car parked at an angle on an incline?? Hope this helps you.
 
I had the same problem with my 1970 Cuda on the passenger side. I took a can of WD40 inserted the nozzle into the side of the door where I thought that the door latch was and sprayed the heck out of it.
It worked and I was able to open the door.
Once open, I sprayed the latch again. Rolled down the window and sprayed the latch from the inside.
Every so often, I repeat the the same.
Worked for me, I hope that it might work for you.
 
I tried everything before beating it with the 2x4!
The strike spinner on mine would not turn and was completely seized which is why it would not come.
Trust me I didn't want to hit it with a 2x4 either
 
Could be that the safety latch isn't fully releasing.

View from the top, fully latched.
IMG_1508.JPG



Roll down window, insert a push rod here. You can see this from above, I've verified this on my 73 Satellite. Push down.
IMG_1509.JPG
IMG_1511.JPG

This is a 1/4" metal rod, A 3/8" might be better, 1/4" drive extension also works.



How it looks pushed down and fully released, notice the gap in the latch levers at the top.
IMG_1512.JPG

Hard to see this through the window gap at the top of the door. While pushing the rod down try opening the door. IMG_1510.JPG
 
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