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Door won't open

Tori

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Jun 4, 2017
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Location
Pismo Beach, CA
Help !! I'm totally screwed. Can't get the drivers door to open on my 71 Satty.

I've got the door panel off and can see the linkage, and all rods. The lock/unlock appears to work - it appears to travel. The door handle moves the link rod and i can see the latch mechanisms moving. I can even reach in with a long rod and confirm things are moving to their full amount.

So,.... what can i do ? I thinking i'd have to remove the window and regulator, cut an opening in the panel big enough to get to the backside of the latch and start destroying it -grind, torch, whatever to get it free from the door.

Anyone have any suggestions ? I don't even think i can get the regulator out without having the door open ?
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the buttblast.
while someone is working the handle outside you buttblast the inside of the door.
sounds like its stuck.
had many a mopar and others same way.

before you get to this point,lets review.
youve shoved that lock rod all the way down and Back up to full travel yes?
as in,its not currently locked right?

youve tried using the Keys to turn the lock?
are they moving the lock rod the Same distance?

youve checked for full travel of the Handle rods?
silly ik,but if its bent then itll never get to full.
 
give the mechanism a GOOD blast of wd40 or similar and let it stew overnight ,it might just be frozen/gummed up
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I've done all that. Had my girl working the handle outside, while i sat in the back seat and donkey kicked that bitch to the moon half a dozen times. LOL

It acts like its locked, but i can see the lock mechanism traveling. Watching the other side that works properly i've been gauging operation. I'm at a total loss with this thing. That's why i'm ready to start the butchery.

Anyone have a good drivers door latch ? I'm gonna need it. :(
 
traveling yes but is it >full travel?
grab those rods and pull them up inside the door by the latch and see if they are going full travel?
 
ask this question in general mopar tech discussions you might get more answers :thumbsup:
 
How were the door hinges? If they are sagging, the lock mechanism may not fully release from the post.Try lifting up on the door as somebody lifts the door handle and give a good hip check.
 
How were the door hinges? If they are sagging, the lock mechanism may not fully release from the post.Try lifting up on the door as somebody lifts the door handle and give a good hip check.
Hold those parts open with your hand for full travel at the same time and hit it with your shoulder. You could also try some wood shims on the bottom.
 
Happened to my 73 WAY back in the day. All you need is one lever of the 10 or so on the latch to break.
Sounds like the latch is shot. Look at all the pieces on this thing.
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Thanks, I've temporarily moved onto getting a few other things fixed first..... But will be back on this soon as i'm discovering i'm no where near as good as Bo Duke.
 
Thanks, I've temporarily moved onto getting a few other things fixed first..... But will be back on this soon as i'm discovering i'm no where near as good as Bo Duke.
Exact thing happen to me on my 73 RR. I did everything you did to get the rods and latch. I finally took out the drivers seat so I'd have room to work a long pry bar under the door and another at the end. I kept working both of them easy to not damage the door then the door popped open. I removed the latch so it wouldn't happen again. I have a donor car that I'll eventually pull the latch from and replace it. Inside door work is no fun.
 
I wonder if that would work for me. As it is now, (still haven't put any further effort into this issue yet) i can move the door in and out about 1/2". Almost like it's on the first catch.
 
Just like you said, I was able to move the door out about a 1/2 inch which allowed me to get the pry bars in a little farther. I just kept gently working it. It was the up and down motion that got it to pop open.
 
Desperate times, call for desperate measures.

Bought another latch from a member here, (thanks 68 Charger) to see if there was anything i could glean by having one in my damn hand.... NOPE. ....and to have when i butchered my existing one :)

Opened up the door shell enough to get in there with a die-grinder (two types) and started taking it apart bit by bit until in could pry it apart and swing the catch off the striker. Didn't take long once in started, maybe 30 minutes to have the door open.
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I know right! I'm a good butcher though. LOL

New lock cyl. installed, window mech. lubed, new mirror going on now.
Now I just need to figure out how to adjust the window.
 
And here I was going to suggest you remove the passenger side door panel and carefully observe it working correctly and just compare the two.

I hate to say it, but cutting the door was not necessary. I'd have removed the door and taken it to a local mechanic.
 
There is just one difference between both side doors and is the driver side opens from inside even with the lock on
 
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