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05-16-2004, 08:58 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Land of Oz
Posts: 11
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New And Need Help
Hi everybody. I'm new to the forums & am hoping someone can help me out.
I just bought a 71 C20 LWB. The problem is the passenger door. The rotating gear that latches onto the striker plate (not sure of the actual name for the piece) is rusted solid so the door won't open. I've tried penetrating oil over the last four days & it just won't budge. Has anyone ever had this happen or know how to open the door without using the jaws of life? |
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05-16-2004, 09:15 PM
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#2 |
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Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Welcome to the board from South Mississippi.
Have you tried taking the inner panel off and trying it from the back side? I am curious as to how you know it's the latch thats rusted. Sorry if I am asking stupid questions but I have never heard of that rusting that bad. Someone on here should be able to help you.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal.  We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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05-16-2004, 09:24 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 138
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Welcome to the board.
Is it the lock itself or the latch. My lock was stuck and wouldn't unlock. Ipulled the door panel and put graphite (from Home Depot) all over everything. Finally got it all working. Good Luck
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'72 C-10 w/ '68 Large Journal 327cu.in. "It's o.k. to dream about what you want to do, until you start doing what you are meant to do." Line from "The Rookie" |
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05-16-2004, 09:26 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Denver
Posts: 141
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Welcome from denver...
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...juju... |
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05-16-2004, 09:42 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Land of Oz
Posts: 11
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Thanks everybody for the welcome.
I've got the inner door panel off & have been trying the penetrating oil from inside & outside. The lock is frozen, too, but it's in the unlock position. The latch connected to the door handles (no clue the name) is rusted, but away from the gear. |
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05-16-2004, 09:47 PM
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#6 |
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its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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May sound real simple, but when i bought a truck that had sat for a while and the passenger door was frozen shut, I was able to kick it from the inside as my son sat on the passenger floor board holding the handle in the open position. Don't wear boots as you may dent the door.
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05-16-2004, 09:52 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Land of Oz
Posts: 11
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I guess it's worth a try. If the kick idea doesn't work, I guess I'll have to see how much precision I can get out of a cuting torch.
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05-17-2004, 04:17 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rossford,Ohio
Posts: 291
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Welcome from Ohio,
I use PB Blaster penetrating oil, that seems to work better than WD40, that sucks you cant get the door open  If you already taken off the panel try putting a pair of vice-grips on the rod and pull it steppside69
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69 chevy stepside (project)  2006 Silverado Z71 Ext. cab 2005 Saturn VUE (wifes dd) |
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05-17-2004, 07:31 PM
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#9 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Shelbyville, KY
Posts: 3,269
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Rust frozen latch asm
Had similar problem. Tried BP blaster after wasting time with WD40. Let the stuff sit overnight. Then put some propane heat on the latch asm from the inside--got it good and hot then with gloves on, pushed in the outside door handle button and pulled on the handle. It opened!! Those latches can get rusted almost solid~~~~. Good luck and be careful as these are the kind of things that you can easily get hurt on----. Let us know how you make out---Huck
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