HELP! Need help opening a door stuck shut from exterior damage.

[Ferio_vti]

Following my previous thread, regarding replacing a damaged door from a pick n pull donor door. (And the 30 day trade in for the core is counting down =P )

The door on my car is damaged from the outside, some how rendering the door stuck shut.

I got the interior paneling off, rods all look fine. All actions and move fine. Nothing disconnected.

The thing that seems to be damaged or compromised is the latching and/or the locking unit. Which is interesting as the exterior damage is not near the latching (far as I can tell) and doesn't look like it would affect the latching. But from the inside of the door, I can't see anywhere near the latching, so I can't see what is affected.

When I unlock the door manually or using power, the lock will unlock but spring back to the lock position.

I tried holding the lock switch open and simultaneous with the door handle to open, but that doesn't work =/

One thing to note, when I do those to actions at once, you don't feel that 'open' click or clunk when the latch should release from the nader bolt. So the impact is probably holding the latch shut on the bolt is seems.

I feel like I'm gonna have to cut open the sheet metal and get to the latching mechanism... But even then, I don't know if there is much I can do to get the latch to release...

https://i.imgur.com/DmQlkRR.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/otx3fkf.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/NtgCq22.jpg

[Thaco]

if its actually unlatching you probably just need to feed it the boots from the inside.

[Abeo]

if its actually unlatching you probably just need to feed it the boots from the inside.

I agree. The door may be binding on the strike post... first thing I thought of when you said the door isn't moving when using the handle is that the door is pinched in place, and you have to give it a goooood yank

[Ferio_vti]

if its actually unlatching you probably just need to feed it the boots from the inside.


I don't think it is unlatching... Or it doesn't feel like it is.
I'll have to get someone to give me a hand with the handle and hold the lock open and try kicking.

Will report back with results...

[Thaco]

I don't think it is unlatching... Or it doesn't feel like it is.
I'll have to get someone to give me a hand with the handle and hold the lock open and try kicking.

Will report back with results...

video imo

[Abeo]

wish I wasn't so busy with work... this is one of those problems that are hard to figure out over the internet but easier to show in person

[Ferio_vti]

Yah so kicking the door, with a friend holding the handle and lock open did not work. The door is stuck...


wish I wasn't so busy with work... this is one of those problems that are hard to figure out over the internet but easier to show in person

I appreciate any help anyone can offer. I'm in no hurry and I could meet you anytime you're free.

[J-hop]

Can you get at the latch bolts inside the door from the inside. Might want to try a cut off wheel in a dremel and cut the bolts holding the latch to the door?

Almost looks like the door got shifted forward too? Might want to have someone try to pull the door towards the back while you cycle the lock a few times?

Also if you open the front door can you see any rivets on the edge of the rear door? Try drilling those out maybe?

[Thaco]

what area are you in?

[Ferio_vti]

I am in Coventry Hills.
But if anyone can help, I can take the car to wherever. Also, I'm not working right now, so I'm available pretty much anytime.

- - - Updated - - -


Can you get at the latch bolts inside the door from the inside. Might want to try a cut off wheel in a dremel and cut the bolts holding the latch to the door?

Almost looks like the door got shifted forward too? Might want to have someone try to pull the door towards the back while you cycle the lock a few times?

Also if you open the front door can you see any rivets on the edge of the rear door? Try drilling those out maybe?

Hmm, I'll see about pushing the door back

rivet on the front edge of the rear stuck door? well, the hinge bolts holding the rear door are full accessible... What did you have in mind on this end of the rear/stuck door?

[J-hop]

Don’t know I was thinking if you could get the door off the hinges it might allow you to play around with it a bit. I feel like the door has shifted and put tension on the latch so it can’t release or something like that

[Abeo]

Don’t know I was thinking if you could get the door off the hinges it might allow you to play around with it a bit. I feel like the door has shifted and put tension on the latch so it can’t release or something like that

LOOSEN the bolts for the hinges, don't remove them. The doors have some adjustment with the bolts loosened. With the hinges out, you'll have a pain in the ass time with a latched door and the rest of it flopping around

[J-hop]

LOOSEN the bolts for the hinges, don't remove them. The doors have some adjustment with the bolts loosened. With the hinges out, you'll have a pain in the ass time with a latched door and the rest of it flopping around

Loosen, remove doesn’t matter. Whatever gets you zero tension on the latch.

[J-hop]

Any progress Ferio_vti?

[Ferio_vti]

So I tried loosening the hinge bolts, but not open door.
It might be in the right direction to get the door off, but I was unable to get it off.
I didn't have any help at the time. I'll try again with a friend.

[Maxx Mazda]

The door is already trash, cut a hole in it and get to the backside of the latch. Then you can manually pry it open.

[J-hop]

So I tried loosening the hinge bolts, but not open door.
It might be in the right direction to get the door off, but I was unable to get it off.
I didn't have any help at the time. I'll try again with a friend.

Yea for what I was thinking you would have to have a helper to manipulate the door while you try to unlock. Best of luck

[Ferio_vti]

The door is already trash, cut a hole in it and get to the backside of the latch. Then you can manually pry it open.

that's what I'm thinking...
What's the easiest way to tear thru sheet metal?

[Seth1968]

Maybe I missed something, but have you tried reaching your hand through one of the holes and yanking on the latch rod?

[AndyL]

The door is twisted, like Seth said hands inside, pull/push on the lock rod and the latch rod - due to the twist they won't have full range of motion and aren't probably fully disengaging

[G-ZUS]

that's what I'm thinking...
What's the easiest way to tear thru sheet metal?

Sawzall or angle grinder

[Ferio_vti]

Maybe I missed something, but have you tried reaching your hand through one of the holes and yanking on the latch rod?

yup, interior panel is off, full access to rods. Everything looks like they move freely.

Latching unit itself may be jammed up... I can't really access it until I cut open the sheet metal and get a good look and see how it really operates.

[Seth1968]

To be clear, when you move the lock rod back and forth, can you feel lock engage and disengage?

[Ferio_vti]

Hey guys, got the door off!
Thaco came by and was a big help. He yanked the locking unit off and was able to directly jimmy the latch open with a long screw driver.
Some how that small crumple at the top of the door obstructed the latch from fulling opening.

[Abeo]

Awesome! Good on thaco for helping out :thumbsup:

[Seth1968]

Nice.

Ferio's next post: "The replacement door won't close" :)

[Ferio_vti]

Nice.

Ferio's next post: "The replacement door won't close" :)

lol. I'll just leave the door off and drive it like a jeep

Thanks guys for all the input and help!