Door latch screw backed out, door won't open - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71swb4x4 · 10-19-2015, 09:17 PM

One of my door latch screws backed out and now the door won't open. I can see the screw, but it's a ways down and tough (that's putting it lightly) to get ahold of. Inside the door I can see the hole that the screw threads into and the screw is backed out quite a ways, no way to grab it from the inside. Any ideas? I have attached a picture of the passenger side screw just to give you reference. So it's the top latch screw, that is countersunk into the door.

This is on a Blazer. So I can look straight down the door gap and just barely see the screw. When I push on the door I can see it relieve a little pressure. I have tried a long screwdriver and I can't touch it, too much angle. I worked a hacksaw blade down there and I can touch it, but that's it.

**LockDoc** · 10-19-2015, 10:19 PM

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Is the screw catching on something?

LockDoc

**raggedjim** · 10-19-2015, 10:30 PM

You could loosen the bolts at the door hinges and try to shift the door forward enough to clear. You would have to remove the front fender to do this, as well as the vent cowl cover.

Or maybe unbolt the top from the window frame and try placing a jack under the rear cross member on the bad side and see if the gap widens.

When you pull the door handle is the rod mechanism moving the doorlatch? If it is you could try pulling the door handle and giving the door a shoulder bump. You may get lucky and pop it open.

Other than these, I'm not sure,

Good luck, Rg

71swb4x4 · 10-19-2015, 11:03 PM

THE DOOR IS OPEN! My fingers hurt! I was able to get about 1/2" of a hack saw blade on it. So I taped up the blade, and taped up the door and bed side, and spent an hour cutting one screw.
The latch was super loose. So I think the screw was backing out, or someone backed it out, and the latch was sagging into the door so it wasn't apparent that the screw was loose. The last time the door was shut the latching action sucked the latch back out and pushed the head of the screw out so it was catching.

**LockDoc** · 10-19-2015, 11:59 PM

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Glad to see that you prevailed.... Sore fingers and all...

LockDoc

68C15 · 10-20-2015, 06:18 AM

good, now swap those engines and get my orange blazer ready for me.

**raggedjim** · 10-20-2015, 09:28 AM

Good work, Rg

jdw · 10-20-2015, 01:28 PM

Better late than never, but an oscillating tool is pretty useful when needed--even if rarely. Saved me before. Good work.

10-19-2015, 09:17 PM	#1
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Door latch screw backed out, door won't open One of my door latch screws backed out and now the door won't open. I can see the screw, but it's a ways down and tough (that's putting it lightly) to get ahold of. Inside the door I can see the hole that the screw threads into and the screw is backed out quite a ways, no way to grab it from the inside. Any ideas? I have attached a picture of the passenger side screw just to give you reference. So it's the top latch screw, that is countersunk into the door. This is on a Blazer. So I can look straight down the door gap and just barely see the screw. When I push on the door I can see it relieve a little pressure. I have tried a long screwdriver and I can't touch it, too much angle. I worked a hacksaw blade down there and I can touch it, but that's it. Attached Images __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

10-19-2015, 10:19 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,772	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open - Is the screw catching on something? LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

10-19-2015, 10:30 PM	#3
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open You could loosen the bolts at the door hinges and try to shift the door forward enough to clear. You would have to remove the front fender to do this, as well as the vent cowl cover. Or maybe unbolt the top from the window frame and try placing a jack under the rear cross member on the bad side and see if the gap widens. When you pull the door handle is the rod mechanism moving the doorlatch? If it is you could try pulling the door handle and giving the door a shoulder bump. You may get lucky and pop it open. Other than these, I'm not sure, Good luck, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Last edited by raggedjim; 10-19-2015 at 10:51 PM.

10-19-2015, 11:03 PM	#4
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open THE DOOR IS OPEN! My fingers hurt! I was able to get about 1/2" of a hack saw blade on it. So I taped up the blade, and taped up the door and bed side, and spent an hour cutting one screw. The latch was super loose. So I think the screw was backing out, or someone backed it out, and the latch was sagging into the door so it wasn't apparent that the screw was loose. The last time the door was shut the latching action sucked the latch back out and pushed the head of the screw out so it was catching. Attached Images __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

10-19-2015, 11:59 PM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,772	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open - Glad to see that you prevailed.... Sore fingers and all... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

10-20-2015, 06:18 AM	#6
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open good, now swap those engines and get my orange blazer ready for me. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

10-20-2015, 09:28 AM	#7
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open Good work, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

10-20-2015, 01:28 PM	#8
jdw Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: portland oregon Posts: 156	Re: Door latch screw backed out, door won't open Better late than never, but an oscillating tool is pretty useful when needed--even if rarely. Saved me before. Good work.

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