So I'm trying to get into my 65 Chevelle and both door latches are stuck (like STUCK!). I have lubed the heck out of them from inside the door with some aerokroil and the inside handle seems to work but won't quite trip the latch. Also how does the lock work on this car? It has the vertical pull knobs, but the inside door handle seems to be the type that you push forward to lock and pull back to open. Am I incorrect?
Thanks in advance!
Chris

No, you just pull up on the lock button to unlock. Man, having one door stuck is a rarity, to have both doors stuck, you are working on some Lotto style odds here. :eek:

I have to search for the reason these doors could be stuck (both at the same time). Have you had or painted the jambs recently where the rubbers are "glued" to the jambs? Is the exwife screwing with you and filled the latches with silicone sealer? I am blown away :eek:

Anyway, it sounds like your door panels are off is that right? If they are, you are WAY lucky and should be able to pull this off.

First check to see that the latch it's self is being unlocked when you pull up on the lock button and or turn the key in the lock cylinder. I have a feeling that if the car is recently been messed with the locks or something like the actuator rods were installed wrong and it is keeping the button or lock cylinder from actually unlocking the door. If neither inside or outside handles open the door than it has to be internally locked. There is a spring that breaks and causes this problem. But like I said, to have it happen once on a car in it's entire life is rare. To have it happen twice at the same time, well that is like your wife having quadruplets.....on her birthday....all weighing the exact same weight....that was your wifes birth weight...we are talking wild out of this world odds.

I think more detective work is due. Tell me WHEN EXACTLY did this problem arise.

The car has been sitting outdoors for 20 years. I'm in the process of cleaning it up (no small task!) to see if it's worth fixing (serious rust issues) or if I'll have to part it out. The latches are probably just corroded all to hell. Hopefully I'll get some digital pics of this heap today to share with you good folks.
Thanks!
Chris

So I've lubed the hell out of the backside of the latches and all the lock levers and release levers work smoothly but the "claw" part of the latch won't release from the striker pin. I've even gone as far as to unbolt the hinges and try to manipulate the whole door in an effort to get it off the pin but no luck. I'm thinking that my last resort is to drill out the backside of the pin from the back seat area. (does that make sense?) Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated...as long as they don't involve trashing the latches.
Thanks!
Chris

i've never had to tackle something like this before, but could you get the inner door panel off, then somehow trip the mechanism to release from inside the door?

That's part of the problem. The door panel is off and I have full access to that part of the latch but no matter what I do the claw won't release. All the operating levers move freely.
redface.gif

tools you will need:
BF Hammer
Chisels
Drill and bits

Just start tearing apart the inside latch where it bolts to the door. Basically you need to try to get the latch off and then you can back the door striker out...

don't ask how I know..... graemlins/angry.gif

OK....I got the driver's door open today!! Was kind of in "last resort" mode and decided to try to porta power! Held the release handle up, applied a little pressure, and POP!!! The passenger door hasn't been as cooperative YET...but I'm gonna soak it a while longer and try again. Good ol' porta power!!!

I had this very same problem on a 70 Monte parts car. Both latches rusted real bad. Doors STUCK shut. Parts car Only, so got out One Big F----n Hammer and Chisel and proceeded to cut outer door skin. found latch and sprayed with lotsa rust buster. Still could not get that door open. Step 2, Get bigger hammer and chisel and destroy latch mechanism. Viola!!! Door now opens fine. Step 3, Remove all good parts from 70 Monte for use on Chevelle. Step 4, Junk Monte. It worked for me.