Can't open driver's door

[wideboots]

OK, here is a tough one.  I have managed to get the driver's door locked and cannot get it opened on my 78 Chevy 1/2 ton truck.  Have been restoring it and just got it back from the paint shop.  I was putting door lock mechanisms etc. back on the door.  Some how I got the door part way closed in the locked position.  Can't get the lock to unlock.    Door is inbetween being closed and open.  Won't go either way.  Is there some trick way to get the door open?  Door panel is off so I can get to the inside of the door latching and locking mechanism, but it will  not un lock manually either.   Hopefully someone else has had this problem.  Thanks for any advice.  

[VileZambonie]

Take the door panel off and unlock it or use a slim jim or coat hanger to pop the lever up

[Lt.Del]

If you already have the door panel off, you can take the C clip off of the locking cylinder and pop it out to the outside.  Pull or push the rod, you should be able to tell where it is binding.

Look closely at the locking mechanism and see if you can pull up on the rod.

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/17/07 4:16 pm

[wideboots]

Thanks for the reply.  However, I have tried both these suggestions.  The problem is in the latch itself.  The door is adjar, but will not release the door completely.  The locking mechanism on the inside of the door itself will not unlock with the rod or manually so the door will not completely open.  I know this is confusing, but it is hard to describe the situation.  Usually when you push the button on the door handle the door will release, but not in this case with the lock on the door in the locked position which it will not move from.  

[Lt.Del]

Well if you tried everything else you can think of, get a long bar place on the mechanism from inside the door and take a hammer and tap on it.  Wack it a few times and see if it loosens up anything inside of it.  I don't know if you can get a screwdriver inside and play around with the mechanism any....kind of pry and poke at it from within the door.  You can always get another mechanism....wack the h out of it if need be.  This is the detailed methodic way of doing it.  






legal notice:  not responsible for the content of this.  Just a suggestion...      

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

Edited by: SgtDel  at: 2/17/07 11:51 pm

[bigblock73]

Would loosening the door striker bolt help any?  If you can remove the nut from the backside without the striker itself moving or spinning, you may be able to open the door with the striker still in the door latch.  This may be a long shot, but worth a try considering the situation you are in.

Let us know how it goes.

Jeff

'73 swb 2wd

73-87.com

[wideboots]

The trick that opened the door was removing the rod from the handle mechanism.  When the handle (outside door opener button) was disconnected, the lock could be released. Thanks to everyone for your input.  This was a real bummer until a body shop dude figured it out.