I just completed the latch mechanism repairs (thanks to the awesome write-ups here), welding up the worn latch, cam, and also the pull/slide for the interior handle.

My problem is that when the latch is pulled back (to open) that clock spring just more-or-less compacts on itself, so that the winds contact each other and make a hard stop so that the latch can't retract all the way. How far must it retract to open the door? I've got about 1/3rd travel I'd guess.

Sounds like these springs are hard to come by, with the "wrong" one being sold as the correct one (at least based on some threads here).

TIA

 

See red arrow:

 

Are you trying to push the latch from the end? I don't think that you can push it in all the way from the end-the spring is too tight. Try it with the lever handle. If that doesn't work, I got nothing else.

 

What does the end of the spring look like? It should have a curl on it, has it broken off?

 

Nope, it is curled…

 

To answer your question, the door latch doesn't need to retract a whole lot. 1/4" would probably be adequate.