So my driver door is stuck shut. I can't get the latch to release. The car has been sitting a while. What is the best method to get the door open.
Details help. How long is " a while?" If it's a Model T it should be easy. If it's a convertible just climb over, in fact you can pull a Dukes Boy and crawl in almost any door window. There I would wiggle and work the handle to see if it is actually just stuck someplace or the mechanism has something unhooked. Check one of the other doors that open to see how things operate. Being in Mo is it possible it's frozen shut? Even my late model Impala trunk was frozen shut the past week. Plan #2 would be to use the inner and outer handle to see if one may work or you can feel or hear some movement. Plan #3 use some force to push as you use the handle. Hopefully as peter4821 posted you are able to remove the inner panel or at least pull it out enough to use a good penetraiting oil in the general location of the door inner levers, latch, and hinges. PB blaster seems to work better for me. Sometimes the window metal trim and some door screws can't be removed until the door is open. I just read your other newer posts. That door could be rusted so badly it's basically welded shut. After being sure the unlatch parts are not working try kicking, screaming, and cussing as you shove outward. You may need a replacement door.
I got the panel off. The latch moves but isn't releasing. I sprayed some oil and it is still stuck. I have also yelled at it and kicked while somebody holds the handle up
Good. Make sure there are no kids near and cuss loudly, spray a good deruster penetraiting oil, and wiggle the inner connecting levers. If all else fails drink some cheap beer and repeat. Remove the opposite door panel and watch as you release and jiggle the door handle.
I'm with MT1, removing the other panel and seeing the difference between what is moving and what is not should allow you to focus on the issue. isn't there a gear that opens both sides of the claw that grips the post?
So I really got in there and looked around and soaked the latch with pb blaster. Still nothing moving. It always that some of the springs are broken and missing.
Did we ever establish what kind of car this is? Do you have a factory service manual? They will usually have a diagram of the inner door mechanicals.
First make sure that the door locking mechanism isn't activated. You should be able to see the rod and pull it up. It might be causing your problem. Next, find the lever that is attached to the door handle and manually hold it open. It shouldn't matter it any springs are broken. If you release the mechanism, you should still be able to pull the door open while holding it. Also, something might be jammed in the door holding it tightly against the post. Have someone push in on the door while you release it to take any pressure off. This is a very basic mechanism and all the parts should be visible.
Well just an update. I let the door sit for a couple days spraying pb blaster on it every day. I got the door open today. There was a number of things keeping it shut. Rust at the bottom of the door, the hinges were stuck and the latch was not releasing. It is now open and I'm going to pull the latch out and see about reconditioning it or finding a better one
I would recommend a replacement, as door latches are made from steel sheet stampings and don't last against rusting.
Good job, your persistence is a credit to all restorers. Take a day off, have a cocktail or three, and relish in your achievement. Tomorrow will bring more frustration.
