1967 inside door release pull, help pls

[James B.]

My drivers door inside release will not open the latch. I have taken the latch mechanism out and two pictures follow. The '67 is unique to midyears (door pull will only work if door is unlocked). The release on the latch is two levers on the same rivet (if thats the right word??). A verticle rod joins them when the door is unlocked and they operate together to release the latch. I believe my problem is too much play between the levers such that when one lever is pulled the vertical rod twists and there is not enough travel to actuate the latch release. I bought a repair kit but it is not for a '67 (despite fact it says so) and the 'rivet' replacements are not long enough to use to replace the rivet that connects the two levers to the latch plate.
I have tried to search the archives but nothing comes up so either this is an uncommon problem or I am not using the correct search words (most likely). I would appreciate anyones help who has fixed this problem. Thanks, Jim B
Hopefully I have attached pics that illustrate the problem (I'm not very good at attaching things so not sure what you will see??)

file://localhost/Users/jamesbaker/Desktop/DSCN1348.JPG
file://localhost/Users/jamesbaker/Desktop/DSCN1349.JPG

[James B.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Looks like my pics didn't come through, let me try another way.DSCN1349.jpgDSCN1348.jpg I'm having trouble resizing. hopefully some detail can be seen. I'll try resizing again. Pls bear with me, thanks

[Steven B.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Just our of curiosity, do your latch mechanisms work out of the car?

[Scott P.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

James, there are at least two areas of wear on the door latch. The first is the inside door release, it can bottom out in the door panel slot before the latch releases. Slot the two release lever to door mounting holes so as to move the lever forward as far as you can and still be retained by the two bolts, a 1/4" or so. Some times the rod from the release lever to the door latch has been messed with and needs replaced too. As you pictured the lever that the inside door release rod hooks to and in turn pushes on another lever that releases the latch gear will get lots of wear, each time the door opens the two pieces rub. One or both of these two levers will get a wear groove. I like to braze up that groove and then add a little braze to take up the slack where the two levers touch. Usually this get the door latch back working as it should. I don't think any of your 67 door latch pieces are at fault here.

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

James,
Most of the time when I have a door that does not open from the inside it is the adjustment. The rods flex and the holes in the arms wear too. Form up some new rods with a slightly bigger diameter that will not flex and fit the holes better.

[James B.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Steven, the latch has four functions/actions (Lock/unlock inside & outside and latch/unlatch inside and out). The only one that doesn't work on mine is inside unlatch and yes, it does not work outside the car-too much play in the slots in the two levers and the rod that transfers action from one to the other, also wear on the one lever end that acts on the latch.

[James B.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Gene, thanks. I have fixed the latch. Drilling out the rivet (which has three different diameter shoulders), reforming it and then dropping several 'drops' of welding rod on various wear points & fileing down to original shape. I will take some photos and see if I can't post here for benefit of other '67 owners. Regards, Jim B

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

James,
Good, sounds like you got rid of all the "slop" and now everything "trigers" as it should when knob is pulled. Welding the knob studs to the lever arm does take out some unwanted movement. Also gives a nice solid feel. Good job!

[James B.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Gene, yes I'm very pleased with the result, very crisp when I pill the knob, just like new. A real learning experience. Just hope this helps other 67 owners. Jim B

[Daniel Y.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

James - great job! I would like some pictures if you can get around to it
bowtie66@ptd.net

570-814-4438

[William C.]

Re: 1967 inside door release pull, help pls

Maybe someone can help with my 67 door problem. When I lock the door with the inside knob and push the outside button in the door locks. Now when I unlock it with the key or the inside knob the inside release knob won't open the door. If I use the key to lock and unlock everything works fine..Bill