Damn door mechanism!

[clutchdust]

For the last year or two the driver side door seems to refuse to open. I go in and adjust the rod linkage that the outside handle engages and all is well for a while. The latest time I thought I had it. Door worked great for 3-4 months. Then just all of a sudden in the last few days, it went from hard to release to not releasing at all. I have to go through the passenger side to open the damn door.
What the hell is the permanent fix?

 

[shipy59]

remove and clean/lube(i use chainlube)refit and adjust latch mechanism.

 

[clutchdust]

OK, so what do you do when you've done that three or four times and it still gives you trouble?

 

[SmokinBBC]

I had that pain. The rod that hangs from the door handle was the problem. The swivel was either too high or low (can't remember). Eventually the rods/clips got bent which caused binding and I couldn't get the door to open from the handle and had to pull hard on the inside handle to get the door open...eventually I busted the mechanisn that the inside handle sits in. Ended up replacing the rods and handle.

 

[Rod75]

I've found a few on older cars where the latch mechanism is just worn out. They're made up of a stack of stamped parts that are riveted in a case. Not worth the pain to try and repair/restore.
Try some bone yard replacements.

 

[mrvette]

I know full well this is useless info to a certain specific extent, but when my '72 started that shit some years ago, I fixed it, but damn if I remember just what I did, it did involve the outside handle, which did come out after releasing the latch itself...now just what I did to fix it did involve grease/oiling...and something in the damn handle....

Chirst I hate my memory anymore....but not alone, all the olde tyme phardts up down the street make similar remarks...

:surrender::confused2:

I know I fixed it, been fine since....but the damn details are a pisses me off event....

If I can do it surely others can....

 

[clutchdust]

Yep, GENE, that was pretty much useless.

 

[mrvette]

Yep, GENE, that was pretty much useless.

Gotta drop the latch...3 large screws, pop the clips off from the door handle levers, and remove door handle....you will most likely see what I did, it was something fairly simple.....

:smash:

 

[clutchdust]

It's been out and repaired a couple times. Seems like it's something with the linkage, but don't know what. I can adjust it and it works well for a week or two, or longer, then it goes to shit. I'm thinking it's just the hole gets wallowed out more and more with each use. It all looks so loose in there to me.