Stuck Door

64fury74charger said:

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.

Click to expand...

Yeah I don't really want to pull the door panel off either! It's parked on a flat bit of my drive, just took the photos at a bit of an angle

RussT Plymouths said:

Could be that the safety latch isn't fully releasing.

View from the top, fully latched.
View attachment 1105374


Roll down window, insert a push rod here. You can see this from above, I've verified this on my 73 Satellite. Push down.
View attachment 1105375 View attachment 1105377
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.
View attachment 1105378
Hard to see this through the window gap at the top of the door. While pushing the rod down try opening the door. View attachment 1105376

Click to expand...

this is super helpful, thank you so much!!

With the door in its position, trying to remove the interior panel may not work if you're unable to access screws or snap clips along the bottom of the panel. Some panels require lifting it up an inch or so to remove the panel from the top of the door. Nudging the door up or maybe down while trying the open/close handles should work if it's jammed (and not locked) and the linkage is still intact. As a further try if this doesn't work, would be looking at how the panel is attached, any screws or just snap clips. If it is only clips, a flat "L" shaped tool may be able to be inserted behind the panel to pop the panel out. If there are screws holding the panel, determine if you can get a screwdriver on them. Look at the passenger door to check this. The handles need to be removed, window crank, and the arm rest, etc. If there's anything separated, broken, bent, with the linkage, the panel has to come off to repair it anyway. This includes the gear, lock, etc. In my case, the latch gear was damaged due to the post bracket on the door jam being loose.

Once you get it open, you should remove the latches and soak them in some acetone, or similar, to dissolve the built up goo that they have acquired over the years. Once cleaned and working, get some spray lithium white grease and get the pivot points/rub points etc. lubed. The spray lithium goes in very thin but once the solvent carrier flashes off it leaves the grease behind. WD40 and some others just turn to sticky/hard goo over time so prolonged usage is not a good idea. Do this on you other door mechanisms too.

Once you get it open spray all moving metal parts inside the door and jam with PB Blaster. This is all I use in my shop for years. It has freed up numerous frozen parts. I spray every used bolt going back into a project. Rust just fades away.

I usually spray and wait to the next day. The Pro Straw can is the handiest with its flip up straw.
https://blasterproducts.com/product/pb-blaster-penetrant/

I designated the WD-40 to the house for light duty work.