Any tricks or ideas on getting a stubborn door open? The latching mechanism may have a problem. If it is broke, is there a way to release the latch? This happens to be on a 73 Vette latch. The latching mechanism seems to be configured like the opposite door for the open mode (working through the window slot with the window down) but it won't unlatch.
Is it the type of latch on the outside that pushes down into the door itself? I've had problems with the latch on my 78 and just wondering if it's the same setup or not
push or pull in on the door when you are trying to release it. Have you found a breakdown of the latch yet?
Pull the latching mechanism out of the other door to see exactly how it works; other than that, maybe it's locked. These latches are fairly simple and should release.
There has got to be a way to get the door panel off and then just pull the rod connected to the latch, if that doesn't work, as stated in the previous post... screwdriver for the win!
If I remember right, I think if you used a slim jim, you may be able to contact the door latch. most likely the the rod from the door handle to the stricker latch either bent or the holder came off.. I had a 73 vette for years and never had a problem,But a friend had a problem like that.
The mechanism is quite accessable through the window slot. Everthing is hooked up and moves with the door handles actuated; it just won't release. It does have the outside handle that gets pushed down. I've lifted up on the door and actuated the release handles while pulling and pushing - no luck. The door jam has a post that the latch grabs on to, it just won't release. Can't get the door panel off w/o destroying it with the door closed; was hoping there was some 'majic' way to release it - sans dynamite
I have had vettes that had no problems but my daughter has a 79 and its the exact same problem you are having.I thought I fixed it but then it happened again.It seems that the lever that you adjust the distance from the outside handle to the latch mechanism is very critical.You have to adjust it just a little bit at a time.This is AFTER you get the booger open.I had to take the door panel off from the inside which was difficult.Then get up inside the door and release the latch.
Can you get to the seat bolts? If you can get it out of the way, you may be able to get the door panel off without damage. Anyway, taking out the seat worked for me on other cars, but never worked on a Corvette with that problem.
Once you figure out how to unlock it with a screwdriver down at the latch, it'll open right up. The latches themselves almost never ever break like you describe. Lock mechanisms will fawkup though. Been there, done that.
I can't remember what the door jamb area of a Vette looks like from the inside, but I had a crazy idea that might work as a last resort: I wonder if you could maybe stick a sawzall in the slot at the door jamb from the inside and saw through the pin that the latch is latched onto. Then you could get the door open and just have to replace what's left of the latch pin in the door jamb. Might be tough to saw through if the pin is hardened. Hopefully you can take the seat out and take off the door panel though without screwing it up. If you look at the other side and take the door panel off on that side, maybe you could figure out where you could drill a small hole in the stuck door panel's interior panel so you could get an ice pick in there to unclick the latch at the lever connection or something. Sounds like the connection from the handle to the latch mechanism is out of whack or broken. Good luck! Sounds like a big pain in the ***.
rotation at the correct leverage point .. .your door opening lever is longer than you think it pulls a longer rod thats atttached to a short rod .. .of co**** if the lock levers have come undone it will not unlatch they may have over rotated the striker when undone seems easy when mcgiver does it tray all 4 at once get some extra hands do both locks and both handlesat once if need be try and slipa wire loop arond the claw
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