240 Removing door panel with door stuck closed?

Drivers door is stuck closed, something must be wrong in the latch mechanism. I can't get the door panel off with the door panel closed, can't pry at the clips.. Can't really see down into the mechanism, is it possible to

82 244 DL, power locks operating only from drivers side

drop the seat back down and roll the seat full back and DROPPED to it's
lowest position (you *DO* know you can adjust the height..right??)

pull the armrest and the surround to the "door handle" and get the screw
out of there...
pull the speaker & cover
you can use a *straight clip popper* on the door pocket...go ahead and
shear the plastic trees at the bottom and then lift the pocket...
you'll need a *bent back* clip popper:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681556&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

remember that you have to pull the panel UP to clear the top of the inner door skin....
(you'll shred some clips and may tear the fibreboard backing but you can fix that
stuff once you get the door OPENED!)...been there / done that / have the blood
soaked TeeShirt to prove it....

Wouldn't a slim jim do the trick?

That would be easier.

In cases like this, disassemble the contralateral side and use it as a guide for the stuck side.

http://www.k-jet.org/files/greenbooks/TP11410-1_body_repairs.pdf

doors start on page * 19 *
LOCK MECHANISM see page * 22*

gotta be GOOD w/a "slim Jim" (*AND* see post # * 4 * above....
I've had TWO of the front door "latching mechanisms" go bad on drivers
doors over the years...the first one was just a "dropped link" which was readily
cured w/a coat-hanger ("U loop" on the end).....the other one gave me fits -
lying on my side - across the "console" - under the steering wheel with all
sorts of prying / grabbing / poking / pulling tools to get the latch free (gunked
up *and* a bit of broken spring where it ought NOT to be...sheesh....)

when I do "routine services" now you'll find me hitting the "latches and handle
bits" w/an aimed spritz of Endura.....also the "lock spring" at the hinge!
http://www.amazon.com/Castle-Endura-Heavy-Clear-10-75/dp/B000KKJRL8

BE PATIENT and don't give in to the urge to bludgeon the bits into
submission - this is one of those "FINESSE" jobs....

taking the *DESTROY THE DAMNED DOUBLE POST* opportunity to
add to my post on removing the panel....you can lift the "round fibre trim"
from around the door opening if you have to (just wiggle it and it will come
away)....
the slim Jim takes some practice if you have one do as other poster suggested
(I'm in EDIT *MY post mode here so I can't refer you to the post number)
*take the OTHER DOOR PANEL OFF* so you can see what is inside and where
it is located....
the fibreboard door "backing" is repaired w/resin and fibreglass cloth to STRONGER
than NEW condition so don't feel bad if you "shred" some of the "clip holes"
(the game is to NOT RIP the COVERING - the clips and fibreboard be damned
you can fix them later)
*OR* you can move waaay south and kick out the glass and enter "Dukes of
Hazard" style...yer call!

Thanks. I'm not sure I could do it with a slim jim, never really used one before. And I'm not sure whats broken, it might not even be possible. I have a similar looking pry small pry bar, but I can't fit it past the door to get to the trim. I'm not sure if that one would fit either Mick? This is a frustrating job. I'm trying not to just trash a perfect panel..

Try to remove the speaker and grille and use a mirror to try and SEE what needs to be poked/pulled to unlatch the door.

I got it off with just a tiny amount of bending/cracking on a bit of the wood, not much at all. I'm happy. Any recommended method of strengthening damaged bits? Duck tape?

swiggy said:

I got it off with just a tiny amount of bending/cracking on a bit of the wood, not much at all. I'm happy. Any recommended method of strengthening damaged bits? Duck tape?

Click to expand...

get one of the "fibreglass KITS" that comes w/a can of resin and some cloth...
doesn't take much & *DO* let the repaired bit sit overnight in a "well ventilated
spot" to get rid of the nasty fumes....
one CAVEAT is *DRY* - don't try to repair SOGGY fibreboard - it's like pissin'
into the wind....

something like THIS:
http://www.fiberglassrepairkit.org/permatex-80265-6pk-fiberglass-patch-kit/

OK great. The lock mechanism doesn't seem to have anything wrong with it, a little nudge and now it works.. I guess it sat for a while and got stuck, I should check all the adjustments though and clean and grease. The window on the other hand, thats screwed. The linkage is completely in pieces..

swiggy said:

OK great. The lock mechanism doesn't seem to have anything wrong with it, a little nudge and now it works.. I guess it sat for a while and got stuck, I should check all the adjustments though and clean and grease. The window on the other hand, thats screwed. The linkage is completely in pieces..

Click to expand...

use a "pin punch" of the SAME DIAMETER as the lock STRIKER and
"work it a few times" before you reset all the panels and stuff...DOUBLE
CHECK your OUTSIDE HANDLE for excessive travel too - as this is the time
to do your *adjust* or REPLACE as needed.....

make sure you look in the bottom of the door for any of the
*thin plastic washers" that help lube the regulator...sometimes ya
get lucky and they are in one piece..*usually* they are split and NWAF...