Inside door release linkage?

[lutronjim]

My 70 C10 SS driver door suddenly wouldn't open with the inside handle. I pulled the panel expecting the linkage to be broken but all looked good.

At a whim, I pushed down on the rod going to the latch and the door opened. The rod has 2 bends in it and I assumed it stretched. With 2 pair of vise grips I added some more bend and solved the problem.

My question is - why isn't the rod straight which would avoid the bends losing shape. It appears that the rod could go straight to the latch from the lever bell crank without hitting anything. Wondering if rod is not original.

See pic

[Grumpy old man]

They have a very slight single bend in that rod for adjustment , it should be basically straight , Before bending it to make it work did you have to push hard on the door handle button when opening the truck from OUTSIDE? if so your problem could be the latch tension spring is probably broken or worn out look at the picture and check the spring where the tape arrow is pointing also check the latch star rivit to see if it's worn out .

[Grumpy old man]

This picture shows the "star rivit" latch , The arrow is pointing towards the rivit which should be tight with no movement , They get worn out and loose causing "you" to have to push harder on the door handle button or inside handle to open the door and then you know it's time for a new latch assembly .

[lutronjim]

Thanks for come back. I have to push fairly hard but both doors are the same.
I'll check rivets.