Frozen door latches

[aunverzagt@houston.rr.com]

Like I have been working on my door latches on my '79 Vette and it has been very time consuming to work the 7/16" bolts on the handle. I finally got the handle fixed and everything was working well and now the latch has froze up. And get this the door is locked and no amount of twisting on the key or pulling on the inside release will unlock the door. I tried to remove the door panel with the door shut and locked. After removing the seat everything on the door is too tight and I cannot get to where I can get my hands on the latch.
Any idea on how to get the door to open? I am thinking about cutting the doorpost off with a hacksaw just to get the door open and work on the inside.
Help???
Andy

[Patrick H.]

Re: Frozen door latches

Andy,

I think we need more information.

1) What exactly did you do to the handle? Replace it? Did you use the $20 foreign repro, or the good GM one for $52?
2) Does the outer handle depress when you press on it?
3) Can you rotate the key at all in the outer lock cylinder?
4) Can you move the lock/unlock mechanism at all from the inside. I'm not asking if they work, just if they move. Or is it stuck?

It would be a lot easier to have someone like a locksmith or towing service or even body shop help you than to cut anything. They may be able to use a Slim Jim type of tool to open the door, or at worst might have to remove the lock cylinder to open it.

In my 71, I had a similar situation. It ended up that my original outer handle broke and it had nothing to do with the lock mechanism. If you have just finished replaced your outer handle, and you used the foreign repro, then do not be surprised if it broke and you're SOL. It wouldn't be the first time I saw one that didn't last a week.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Frozen door latches *TL*

There was a story by Tom Russo in The Restorer, complete with pictures, of how to open the door when this happens. Volume 27, #4, Spring 2001. All I can remember at the moment is roll down the window and press on something on the latch with a long screwdriver. No need to use a torch or Sawsall.

[Tom R.]

Re: Frozen door latches

Thanks for the plug...and your memory is better than mine. I would have to look up the reference.

But Andy, basically you are tripping the striker bolt secondary latch and the pictures in the article make more sense than attempting to explain. The striker bolt latch catches the striker bolt and secures it when the door is closed.

So with the aid of a screwdriver and flashlight, you push back the plastic protector, locate the latch and use the tip of a long blade screwdriver to release the latch.

A suggestion would be to do this on your door that works until you figure out what you are doing and can understand how the mechanism works.

Once you get it open, remove the door panel and do a basic clean and relub to the mechanism and linkage. What's happened after 25 years is that crud has frozen the linkage and probably mechanism and you need to remove the crud and relub. With my 78 when it froze up...simply squirting some WD 40 loosened it up but I removed the linkage and cleaned it up. I didn't want to have to do that again.!