Door mechanism problems...HELP!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NAPCO ken · 01-05-2004, 05:59 PM

'79 Suburban, front doors (non-power)...sometimes when you lock it you cannot get the lock to come back up no matter if you use the key or manually try to pull it up. Then, miraculously, I got it to come up with the key after jiggling the key...seemed like something was stuck. Another problem is sometimes the push knob on the outside (to open the door) will just push in freely and not engage anything, like it's just flopping around....then after opening the door a time or two (from the inside), it will begin engaging again and open the door. Anyone have these kinds of problems?? It's driving me nuts!! Any thoughts or cures will be appreciated!!

cochino12 · 01-05-2004, 06:17 PM

sounds like one of the rods that work the latches is bent or something. Take the panel off and have a look

*Zilverado* · 01-05-2004, 07:00 PM

I agree with Adam.

One of the beautiful things about our trucks is how easily the door panels can be removed (compared to modern plastic/concealed fastener stuff). The linkages inside the door are also pretty straight forward.

Once you pull the panels, diagnosing the problem should be pretty easy.

Have fun.

**old Rusty C10** · 01-05-2004, 08:13 PM

on my old truck (76) the outside door handle was jamming half in and half out.the door handle seemed like you said it would go in and not engage because the inners were engaged. it would make it so ya couldnt move anything. What i did was to get a can of gumoput and spray the lock and handle as well as i could to clean off all the dirt and stuff in it that would impede the lock and the guts of the door handle from working then i sprayed it good with some WD40 and a little white grease to lube it and thus far its been fine. ya get alot of dirt in the handle etc and the things gum up and quit working

blink32 · 01-05-2004, 10:39 PM

basically just had the same/similar probs on my 76 4x4. Just pull the panels for the best access and I used a can of white lithium grease. I greased everything. All rod pivot points, all springs, the channels for the window regulator, lock mechanisms, handle springs, u name it then spray it. If not immediately then within a day or two's normal use you should find that no more binding will occur and everything will work well. My main problem was if u mashed the open button on the door handle before unlocking it then it put it in an unlockable state and you had to push and release the button several time to get it to free up.

Matt_305 · 01-05-2004, 10:41 PM

In regards to the door handle not working the same thing happend to my brothers car (85' Pontiac Parsienne) except in reverse the inside handle wouldn't work, I forget if the rod had actually fallen off or if it was just bent but it wasn't much of a job to fix it.

*1972C10* · 01-07-2004, 12:33 AM

Ive got an 85 and every now and then i cant get the lock rod up and if i push the outside button it will come right up i always have that problem on the pass side im thinking it just needs oiling just havent gotten around to it

01-05-2004, 05:59 PM	#1
NAPCO ken Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: anaheim, ca Posts: 187	Door mechanism problems...HELP!! '79 Suburban, front doors (non-power)...sometimes when you lock it you cannot get the lock to come back up no matter if you use the key or manually try to pull it up. Then, miraculously, I got it to come up with the key after jiggling the key...seemed like something was stuck. Another problem is sometimes the push knob on the outside (to open the door) will just push in freely and not engage anything, like it's just flopping around....then after opening the door a time or two (from the inside), it will begin engaging again and open the door. Anyone have these kinds of problems?? It's driving me nuts!! Any thoughts or cures will be appreciated!! __________________ ken '58 Chev NAPCO 4x4 short '60 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '60 GMC 3/4T stepside 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '90 Chev Suburban 4x4, dually, ZZ502 '77 GMC Suburban 4x4, one ton axles, 12" lift, 39.5"s '88 Chevy crewcab dually 4x4, 10" lift, 42"s (x6!) '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon '79 Chev 3/4 Suburban 4x4, 400-400-203

01-05-2004, 06:17 PM	#2
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	sounds like one of the rods that work the latches is bent or something. Take the panel off and have a look __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

01-05-2004, 08:13 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	on my old truck (76) the outside door handle was jamming half in and half out.the door handle seemed like you said it would go in and not engage because the inners were engaged. it would make it so ya couldnt move anything. What i did was to get a can of gumoput and spray the lock and handle as well as i could to clean off all the dirt and stuff in it that would impede the lock and the guts of the door handle from working then i sprayed it good with some WD40 and a little white grease to lube it and thus far its been fine. ya get alot of dirt in the handle etc and the things gum up and quit working __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

01-05-2004, 10:41 PM	#6
Matt_305 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 102	In regards to the door handle not working the same thing happend to my brothers car (85' Pontiac Parsienne) except in reverse the inside handle wouldn't work, I forget if the rod had actually fallen off or if it was just bent but it wasn't much of a job to fix it. __________________ 1981 GMC Sierra 1500 4.1L I6 1985 GMC Sierra 1500 5.0L V8 (Parts Truck)

01-05-2004, 07:00 PM	#3
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	I agree with Adam. One of the beautiful things about our trucks is how easily the door panels can be removed (compared to modern plastic/concealed fastener stuff). The linkages inside the door are also pretty straight forward. Once you pull the panels, diagnosing the problem should be pretty easy. Have fun.

01-05-2004, 10:39 PM	#5
blink32 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: OTR Posts: 338	basically just had the same/similar probs on my 76 4x4. Just pull the panels for the best access and I used a can of white lithium grease. I greased everything. All rod pivot points, all springs, the channels for the window regulator, lock mechanisms, handle springs, u name it then spray it. If not immediately then within a day or two's normal use you should find that no more binding will occur and everything will work well. My main problem was if u mashed the open button on the door handle before unlocking it then it put it in an unlockable state and you had to push and release the button several time to get it to free up.

01-07-2004, 12:33 AM	#7
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Ive got an 85 and every now and then i cant get the lock rod up and if i push the outside button it will come right up i always have that problem on the pass side im thinking it just needs oiling just havent gotten around to it



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