need door latch education

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Nov 15, 2011 | 05:00 PM

r_reed

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,224

Likes: 19

From: scotia. NY 12302

need door latch education

49 f1. something broke in my door latch. right now niether inside or outside handle will open door. inside handle has little/no resistance, will travel about 90 degrees. outside handle will snap back and forth between normal and straight down. window goes down about 4" then hits something. looks like i'll have to take the seat out to get to the access panel on the door. is that the way to go? we may not fix it until after it's off the road for the winter. in the meantime, i'll use the "safer" exit on the passenger side, although i'm more likely to spill hot coffee on myself getting past the small console on the seat. anything anyone can tell me before we "dig" in? thanks, dick r. (driver side, no key lock mechanism)

Nov 15, 2011 | 06:18 PM

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

Can you slide a thin screwdriver or slim jim into the latch from the inside and "jimmie" it open? I'd have to go look at mine to see whats possible......

Nov 15, 2011 | 07:08 PM

51PanelMan

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,669

Likes: 13

From: San Jose, CA

Sounds like either the spring in the latch or the bar that runs from the exterior door handle latch section to the interior door handle section may be broken. The end to which the interior door handle attaches to is riveted to the bar.

It's likely the spring since you can't open from either inside or outside. You should be able to pop the latch from the inside with a flathead screwdriver.

Nov 15, 2011 | 07:36 PM

Moe Craig

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 3,426

Likes: 48

From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)

It sounds like you may have over extended the latch... you will have to replace it unless you want to try to rebuild it... You will have to force the door latch to open the door...

Nov 15, 2011 | 09:57 PM

51PanelMan

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,669

Likes: 13

From: San Jose, CA

Another problem with the door latch is the little hump that slides inside the latch mechanism to release it gets worn out, so the bar that would actuate the latch just slides back and forth. Another member had this issue last year that I helped him fix. This hump can be restored by welding and grinding it to the original shape. I've done it on two door latch mechs and about to do on the third.

Best suggestion to you is to remove the latch and inspect it carefully. Post pictures here and we may be able to diagnose it for you.

Nov 15, 2011 | 10:06 PM

r_reed

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,224

Likes: 19

From: scotia. NY 12302

thanks all, that gives me some guidance. don't know if we will get to it before i put the truck up for the winter. if not, i'll hit it early in the spring. i guess i'll just try to pop it from inside to get the latch out. when i get a look at it, i'll have a better idea what i'm dealing with. dick r