Quick Dumb Car Question

[ccoon520]

Recently started working on restoring a 1979 Trans Am, however, the car is in fairly rough shape and neither door will open and the locks will not rotate. I was able to get into the car by using a hanger to open the Passenger Side T-Top and then climb in through the roof. I have the interior door panel off and can see the mechanism.

Only the horizontal rod moves when pulled on so I think the rotating mechanism that converts horizontal movement to vertical movement (and that connects the exterior handle and interior handle) is rusted solid. I'm going to be trying to spray some PB Blaster into the door this week but I am curious if anyone on here knows if the mechanism is supposed to pull up or push down to release the latch. I would think ,up but I've been wrong before, and would prefer not to have to cut a hole in the door because I broke it worse.

 

[Roadworthy]

In you have the door panel removed you may be able to operate the interior handle to see how the latching mechanism operates. If you can operate the locking mechanism from inside the car you can see how it works as well. A parts breakdown of the door parts would be a valuable tool to have, too.

 

[ccoon520]

In you have the door panel removed you may be able to operate the interior handle to see how the latching mechanism operates. If you can operate the locking mechanism from inside the car you can see how it works as well. A parts breakdown of the door parts would be a valuable tool to have, too.

The internals do not move so I cannot confirm direction. The external door handles are both broken off and the internal handles will move the horizontal bar but no movement from any vertical bars. The doors are unlocked as well.

Hoping someone on here has worked on a GM from that year range and might have some experience with a similar part.

 

[dlsmith]

Sounds like you're going to need a couple of latches anyhow, so why not order a new one or two so you can see how they work?

 

[ccoon520]

Sounds like you're going to need a couple of latches anyhow, so why not order a new one or two so you can see how they work?

I might need to do that. Was just hoping someone may have had experience with it before. Thanks for the idea though!

 

[niteshiftfromkc]

Have you tried YouTube? Just did a search and found a bunch of videos of how to work on the doors for camaros/trans ams. When I still had my 69 Camaro I used https://www.classicindustries.com/ for a lot of the parts. Unfortunately I can't remember which way the latches move.

 

[ccoon520]

Have you tried YouTube? Just did a search and found a bunch of videos of how to work on the doors for camaros/trans ams. When I still had my 69 Camaro I used https://www.classicindustries.com/ for a lot of the parts. Unfortunately I can't remember which way the latches move.

I did a search for an hour or so yesterday across forums and stuff but they all said to actuate the door latch from inside the door panel without giving a direction. Which led to me thinking I was being dumb and there was a generic direction they operated. Which then led to this post here thinking someone may have had to fiddle with a door latch sometime recently(ish).

 

[Fordtech86]

I did a search for an hour or so yesterday across forums and stuff but they all said to actuate the door latch from inside the door panel without giving a direction. Which led to me thinking I was being dumb and there was a generic direction they operated. Which then led to this post here thinking someone may have had to fiddle with a door latch sometime recently(ish).

Im trying to send you something that may help. Once I figure out how to log in on my work computer I’ll get it to you.

 

[ccoon520]

Im trying to send you something that may help. Once I figure out how to log in on my work computer I’ll get it to you.

That'd be a huge help. Thanks!

 

[Fordtech86]

That'd be a huge help. Thanks!

PM sent

 

[Cheeto]

Not all older cars unlocked the door by simply pulling the inside door handle. You say the doors are unlocked but are you 100% certain? Does the TA have lock knobs on top of the doors or a slide version near the door handle? Can you verify that the lock knob/slide is actually attached to the latch and working it? Is there resistance when it moves? Just because the lock rod moves does not mean the plastic clip on the latch end is in good condition and doing its job.

 

[Tooljunkie]

My 76 dart was having a similar issue, weatherstrip on drivers door had bonded to body. A gentle pry with prybar got it open.
passenger door latch was stuck, i soaked it with penetrating oil and was thinking i would have to cut door skin to get at latch. I wired interior door release, then pried door open. Took some considerable force. I was luck enough to have a spare latch, but didnt help to figure out what was hanging up. I did get door panel off too, and was even thinking about a die grinder and cut up latch mechanism.
good luck, if it was easy,everybody would be doing it!

 

[ccoon520]

Not all older cars unlocked the door by simply pulling the inside door handle. You say the doors are unlocked but are you 100% certain? Does the TA have lock knobs on top of the doors or a slide version near the door handle? Can you verify that the lock knob/slide is actually attached to the latch and working it? Is there resistance when it moves? Just because the lock rod moves does not mean the plastic clip on the latch end is in good condition and doing its job.

It is a vertical pull unlock and as far as I can tell the plastic looks to be in place and the lock in the fully vertical position with the unlock fully up as well. I might just throw a whole can of PB Blaster on the mechanism tonight and wrench on it in the morning.

My 76 dart was having a similar issue, weatherstrip on drivers door had bonded to body. A gentle pry with prybar got it open.
passenger door latch was stuck, i soaked it with penetrating oil and was thinking i would have to cut door skin to get at latch. I wired interior door release, then pried door open. Took some considerable force. I was luck enough to have a spare latch, but didnt help to figure out what was hanging up. I did get door panel off too, and was even thinking about a die grinder and cut up latch mechanism.
good luck, if it was easy,everybody would be doing it!

Agreed! its almost like they wanted to make it difficult for people to open the doors without using the latch.

 

[lugbolt]

nice thing about Ford cars/trucks is that you just grab the interior door release and open the door even with the doors locked. They unlock when you try to open it from inside without touching the lock. Never had a GM like that ever. One of the little things that GM should have copied from Ford.