55.2-59 Door latch

[8man]

I was reassembling the truck to check gaps for paint, and I installed the rider's side door latch. It released and latched just fine on the bench.

Well, after getting the door gaps right, and closing the door several times on the latch to try and get it into position, I slammed the door to get it to latch on the truck.

Now it won't open. Does anyone have any suggestions other than a cutting torch!

I mean the door has been body worked and the only thing I can think of is to take a cutting wheel to the latch on the inside of the truck to cut off as much as the mechanism as possible and then going from there.

Thanks.

[nvrdone]

Stock latch or aftermarket? Is the connector rod installed & fastened to the door handle? Glass installed?
If you have the connector rod installed, you should just be able to pull it & release the latch. If not try taking a piece of welding rod & bend a hook in the end. Then see if you can go in thru where the glass goes or thru the access panel hole. & catch the latch. I hate to see you mess up all that great body work. good luck

[8man]

Thanks. No glass, I was just assembling it to check gaps. They are the original latches, but neither the inside nor the outside opens the door. It's like the mechanism inside the door is caught somehow.

[nvrdone]

could it be that when you shut the door the lock arm dropped into the lock position?

[dsraven]

check the mechanism, as mentioned by nvrdone, and if good try a ratchet strap from the door arcoss to a seat mount bolt in the floor on the other side of the cab. tighten it up and try to unlatch the door again. possibly you had the door adjusted on the first setting of the door latch and then when the door was slammed it had enough force that the latch was able to latch on the secondary latch. pulling the door in tighter with the strap may take enough strain off to allow the latch tobe released.
worth a try anyway.

[leegreen]

ideas:
try flexing door at top and bottom to see if you can confirm where it is stuck

Something came apart in the latch, get an inspection camera in and look
or
There is too much strain on the latch to unlatch, pull it in as described above or try lifting door up or down
or
some mechanical interface between door and cab, maybe if there are no seals the door shut too far and the the latch overran the striker, jammed somehow. hammering a doorstop wedge into the gap from inside may help and not be too destructive. or one of those inflatable furniture lifter pillow things if it fits

[dsraven]

any news?

[dsraven]

here are a few pics of the latch
one with latch open
one with latch at primary setting
one at secondary setting
one showing the inner lever at unlocked
one showing the inner lever at locked

hope that helped somebody

[dsraven]

last is how I keep my door latch when no inner handle is bolted on. just some mechanics wire to hold the inner lever in the up position, otherwise the outside door handle doesn't work

[8man]

Thanks guys.

I took the 48 to a car show, so I haven't been out to it today. Maybe tomorrow I can try some of these ideas.

Fortunately, at the show I found a guy who had something similar happen to a car, and we are trying to figure out a time when he can come over with a scope and a long pick (which he used on the car) and get it open.

I'll post up after I've tried the above.

Thanks.

[8man]

My mechanic buddy came over with his bore scope and looked inside as much as possible. He had found doors that were locked and would not open, but my door was NOT locked. The mechanism was not functioning properly. We worked at it for about 30 minutes before we both decided that the only choice was to cut it.

So, today was my day. I got out the angle grinder, the electric metal saw, a big hammer, punch and a screwdriver. Before I was finished, I had a medium pry bar and a piece of 1/4" angle to protect the door jamb from the pry bar.

I cut as much as I could out of the door side. Then bent it in just enough to clear the catch on the B pillar side, and it opened. Here is what it looked like after I was through.

At the top of the picture is the driver's side, the pieces below are the rider's side. Now I'm looking at either new or trying to find an old one for the rider's side. Any thoughts on which way to go?

[dsraven]

good you got open.
are you thinking of an upgrade?

[mr48chev]

The Filling Station has latches for that that they say they massage a tad to get to work better.

https://store.fillingstation.com/det...MBLYRIGHT.html

[8man]

I did Altman latches on the 48 but thought I'd go with stock on this one.

Thanks for the lead, I ordered some new ones yesterday and only hope they are like the originals.

[57tailgater]

The latch shown by mr48 is for a 52-55.1, this is the one for a 55.2-59. Not sure which one you have so now you have both links!
https://store.fillingstation.com/det...MBLY_LEFT.html

[8man]

Thank you. They are coming in this week.