Can't get my 69 door open

[Michael L.]

Guys,

I'm putting the final touches on my 69 restoration and I just put the lock knobs on and tried out the door locks. The pass side worked perfectly, but when I tried to lock then unlock the drivers door the door lock knob was stiff and now the door won't unlock or open. I'm guessing I need to take the door panel off to look at the rods and mechanism but how do I get the door open to start with in order to even do that??? An assistance is appreciated.

Mike

[Mark E.]

Re: Can't get my 69 door open

Well that socks.

Have you tried unlocking using the key?

If the car is on the ground, jack it up; if it's jacked up, put it on the ground. The little bit of flex may unjamb the latch.

Then remove the knob, attach a vice grip to the spindle and see if you can get it to rotate just a bit more to release.

[Michael L.]

Re: Can't get my 69 door open

Thanks Mark. I thought about using the key last night after I left the shop. I will try that tomorrow when I get back in there. I already pulled the knob and tried vice grips. I will also make sure it's on the ground. I have the car on my lift permanently during the restoration to quickly lift and lower it. I tend to keep it a few inches off the ground even when down to ensure I don't have to check the lift arms every time I lift it, so it technically is in the air. I will also try lowering it. I'm hoping these measures get it open then I can remove the panel and figure out what's going on.

[Michael L.]

Re: Can't get my 69 door open

Got it fixed. the Key didn't work, but with the window down when you separate the window felt you can get a good look at the lock assembly in the door. I soaked it with spray grease and continued working the lock knob until it got unstuck. It continued to stick at times and I sprayed more grease and kept working the lock knob for a couple of hours and it operated without fail. What was interesting was that the only time the problem was happening was when I would lock the door then try to open the door while locked. There is a part of the lock assembly that slides up when you depress the door handle that was hanging up and not returning to it's proper position when the handle was released, like the door handle was still depressed. Simply locking and then unlocking the door was not a problem by itself. I had to try to open the locked door to get the lock knob to stick. If you have had someone try to open the door while you unlock it simultaneously on your new car you know that an engaged door handle will prevent the door from unlocking. Same deal here. After ensuring the lock was working without issues, I then put the door panel back on. All good.

Mike