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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Forum: C3 Electrical, Body and Interior

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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/4/07 10:41amMessage 1 of 6
s
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Leavenworth, KS - USA
Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426
Vette(s): MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes. Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14
Another conundrum for the assembled masses. Geek
 
My door latch is getting harder and harder to open. Censored  Latch depresses all the way but you have to really force it to open the driver's door.  Soon I'll be shut out and don't want to crawl through the window or open it from the passenger's side. It's tuff enuff to get in the right way!!!! 
 
I know I'm a gunna have to pull the door panel to fix it, but I'm not sure what I'll be looking for when I do.
 
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem (like who hasn't with a 36-year-old car)?  What is/are the probable causes and what can I expect?
 
Tanks in advance.

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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/4/07 10:46amMessage 2 of 6
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Edmond, OK - USA
Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400
Vette(s): 1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995
Sounds like the rod could be bending somewhat not popping the latch immediately.  It is relatively easy.  It has screw adjustments on the ends.  Careful with the clips.  They are replaceable but if you are careful they will just clip right off and on.
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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/4/07 10:54amMessage 3 of 6
r
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4208
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
Tim is right. It's really not that bad but you have to be slow and methodical. Using a light, take a careful look at how the mechanism is configured. It is not that complicated but it's easy to get confused going back together. If you take your time I am sure you will get it working properly.
Scott
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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/4/07 11:21amMessage 4 of 6
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Rods bending or binding at the joints is the usual culprit...Angry

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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/4/07 1:08pmMessage 5 of 6
g
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Irving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4286
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
.....Just a thought..........have you tried white lithium grease? Mine was gettin' like that and I zapped some of that stuff in the outside handle and it's great now.  I sure hope you don't have to take the door apart. Dead

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Driver's Door Opens HARD!

Posted: 4/5/07 7:11amMessage 6 of 6
s
Former Member
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Leavenworth, KS - USA
Joined: 1/24/2007
Posts: 426
Vette(s): MM Red 1971 T-top,LS5,4-speed, black leather C5 seats, Hooker sidepipes. Previous: 64 Coupe, 65 Roadster L76 / N14
Thanx guys.  Micki, I don't think the grease will help; pretty sure it is an internal adjustment.  FYI I can depress the outside handle all the way down, with ease, but the door won't unlatch.  I have to really hold it down hard and pull the door open.  For now, I am reaching in through the open window, 'cause it opens fine from the inside. I don't see how I can avoid "going in!" Thanks for the help! Thumbs%20Up Mike

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