body and interior Door Won't Open

[devotion]

Ok, brought a 76 back from the dead runs like a champ! Only issue now is drivers door is stuck, well sort of. The handle on the outside works great, but when you open it from the inside the handle has to much range of motion...it opens the door but then the handle doesn't stop there, it keeps turning and then part of the lock mechanism (the part the interior handle is connected to via long rod) goes past where it is supposed to and comes undone...then the door is stuck shut. Any suggestions?

[John_in_VA]

Take off the door panel (after door pull, window crank, & vent window knob), peel back the plastic sheet and take a look.  I'll hunt for some door mechanism DIY posts if you can't find them.

 

http://www.my2002tii.com/may2003/may2003.htm

Edited December 16, 2013 by John_in_VA

[devotion]

I tried searching, to no avail. Door panels are both off. Thank you!

[Hans]

If just one door does it, see what's different with the other. Sounds like some sort of detent is missing?

Also have a look in the bottom of the door for any odd bits...

[devotion]

Also, I have a 69 parts car I could rob the mechanism from...I could even take the entire door! Will there be any differences in the mechanism between the 69 and 76?

[Mike Self]

If your '69 is a 2002 and is really a '69, (166xxxx VIN) then the door lock mechanisms should be identical.  

 

Coupla suggestions before you swap mechanisms:  have you checked to see if the bracket that holds the inner door handle is tight on the door (no loose bolts)?  And have you tried repositioning the inside handle on its splines so that it can't be pulled too far without hitting the underside of the armrest?  If neither of these fixes work, then try swapping latch mechanisms.  With the upholstery panel off, it's a simple job.

 

cheers

mike

[devotion]

Thank you for all the helpful advice so far...Im leaning towards something being loose. Is there a quick lesson somewhere that I cant find about how to remove the mechanism? Also I had a thought...if you unhook the long bar that connects the inner handle to the lock mechanism, is there a stop on that? Or should it turn quite a bit around. On the door that IS working, it only turns 1/8 of an inch if that. Thanks again.