Help! Driver Door Will NOT Open

[Buckskin7T7V]

1977 Corvette: The driver side door will not open. I could not get the door panel all of the way off, so I have been trying to unlock it down the window slot. It seems the last lever that finally releases the hook lock will not release it. I am writing about the jaws that go around the stud that is bolted to the body of the car. Does anyone have any ideas. If worst case, do I have to unbolt the door at the hinges? Is this even possible?

 

[Evolution1980]

I'm trying to visualize what you are describing...;squint:

Do you feel like you are getting any resistance from either the inside or outside door handle? (resistance other than the spring in the handle itself)
Do you get any resistance or movement on the manual lock?

There really shouldn't be anything keeping the door panel from coming off if you've removed the screws. It might be really sticky/stuck with the tar-like coating that you might have around the edge of the panel where it mates to the door frame. Off the top of my head, I think there's 6 screws that need to come out. Two in the handle, one in the handle cup. And then I think two at the bottom and one towards the top-front??? (It's been a long time since I've had my doors off and I don't know if the pattern is different on a '77)

Post addition 1: How will you get to the door hinges if you can't get the door open???
Post addition 2: I can copy pages out of the shop manual and email them to you if you'd like. It gives a breakdown of the door, lock, and hinges.

 

[92BlackVette]

Step 1.) Remove door panel

 

[Chas]

This may not help but.......

My outer door handle spring seemed "lazy" and I bought one of these little repair "clips" or "spring" to easily install in a matter of seconds. It was basically a 1/2" by 2" pc of spring steel shim stock that was just pushed into it and it worked perfectly for years, that is until about 2 weeks ago.
I opened the door and heard it crack in two and now the broken pieces are under the handle preventing it from going down far enough to open the door from the outside. ad
I guess i need to find a pair of tweezers or such and see if I can get them out.:eyerole
I can tell you this from experience, you may need a child's size hand to reach into the area in the door to remove the handle, but i have a '73 with power windows so maybe mine is different than yours.
Good luck, Chas

 

[JohnGrawcock]

I'm trying to visualize what you are describing...;squint:

Do you feel like you are getting any resistance from either the inside or outside door handle? (resistance other than the spring in the handle itself)
Do you get any resistance or movement on the manual lock?

There really shouldn't be anything keeping the door panel from coming off if you've removed the screws. It might be really sticky/stuck with the tar-like coating that you might have around the edge of the panel where it mates to the door frame. Off the top of my head, I think there's 6 screws that need to come out. Two in the handle, one in the handle cup. And then I think two at the bottom and one towards the top-front??? (It's been a long time since I've had my doors off and I don't know if the pattern is different on a '77)

Post addition 1: How will you get to the door hinges if you can't get the door open???
Post addition 2: I can copy pages out of the shop manual and email them to you if you'd like. It gives a breakdown of the door, lock, and hinges.

The 77 has diffent door panels than the 78 to 82. Looks like screw locations would have to be different. I think the lock mechanism and hings are the same.

 

[JohnGrawcock]

1977 Corvette: The driver side door will not open. I could not get the door panel all of the way off, so I have been trying to unlock it down the window slot. It seems the last lever that finally releases the hook lock will not release it. I am writing about the jaws that go around the stud that is bolted to the body of the car. Does anyone have any ideas. If worst case, do I have to unbolt the door at the hinges? Is this even possible?

The rod that actually locks/unlocks the latch comes up vertically from a pivot toward the back of the door. Don't remember if up is locked and down is open or the other way around. Either way this is the rod you need to move if it's locked.

Don't unbolt your door hinges. You still would not be able to remove the door with the latch engaged.

Wish I could help more.

 

[6880 Mike]

...It seems the last lever that finally releases the hook lock will not release it. I am writing about the jaws that go around the stud that is bolted to the body of the car....If worst case, do I have to unbolt the door at the hinges? Is this even possible?

I think I'm following you, but two different problems could occur. Unlocking the door is not the same as unlatching the door. Locking the door secures the latch. Have you checked the door lock cylinder with the key and the door lock knob on the door panel to ensure the latch is not locked? When locking/unlocking the latch, you should feel minor resistance at the key or the lock knob, but nothing major. When turning either, you should hear a little thunk as the latch locks or unlocks.

Unlatching the door means opening it, either with the finger flap or the interior door handle. The latch rod is behind the interior door panel and probably beyond your reach if you're fishing for it with a coat hanger or slim jim.

The door hinges bolt to the hinge posts from inside the car. You will have to remove the kick panel for access to the lower hinge and may be able to see the upper hinge bolts up under the dash. It's dark up there. Loosening the hinge bolts might give you enough wiggle room to remove the interior door trim panel to access the latch rod. Taking out the driver's seat will give you a little more room to work.

I agree with John. With the door hinge bolts loosened, the door will probabloy not come off the car if the latch is locked.

Good luck.

 

[gmjunkie]

You guys still try'n to get this door OPEN???

I believe the problem was solved about 3 day's ago!!! :L:L:L

CLICK!!

Thats the problem with the same person starting 2-3 treads on the same problem and then not keeping up with them!!
It wasts web space and other helpful peoples time!!

 

[Buckskin7T7V]

I am sorry that I overlaoded the system

Listen guys I was not trying to overload the internet with my question. I did not know where exactly to post it. When you cannot open the driver side door and you are looking at destroying a $419.00 plus tax door panel it gets kind of frustrating. I have helped people on this site and I have always appreciated the help I have received. The stupid yahoo put most of the e-mail in a spam folder which I just found. The panel is easy to remove when the door is opened. But give it a try when the door is locked and will not budge. I managed to rip the bottom screw bracket off of the door panel and with a crowbar I pried the panel off. As I wrote; the spring that helps open the claw shaped hook that is a part of the hinge would not open the hook up. I ordered two new hinges and they arrived this afternoon. Thanks for the help and in the future I will ask where I should post my question.

 

[KANE]

...When you cannot open the driver side door and you are looking at destroying a $419.00 plus tax door panel it gets kind of frustrating...

No worries! Anyone would get really worried about damaging their car further when the door is stuck closed & won't open. Not a big deal about multi-posting- it clearly wasn't intentional.

So....

Well guys I finally got the door opened and believe me it was a pain in the tussa.

I'm glad you are on your way to getting the problem solved.

With the link placed here to the other thread, titled Driver Side Door Will NOT Open, I'll go ahead and close this thread in the interest of avoiding any confusion. If folks want to read what happened- the link above will take them to your other post.

 

[Evolution1980]

I'll take the hit on this one. I usually catch duplicate posts among the C3 subforums. This one slipped through.

Buckskin, in this case, the Technical forum would've been the more correct forum since it deals with the nuts & bolts of the car. Rule of thumb is that if you have "How To" question dealing with mechanicals and/or anything that will require tools, it probably goes in the tech subforum.