[Aus SS396]

I have just bought a 70 chevelle and noticed that the drivers door handle button does not engage. It just presses in without contacting anything.
If you lean against the door that effectively squashes the door against the rubber seal it then engages and the door will open.

I have read the archives and a few people have had the same problem. Is there something bent inside that can be easily fixed or does something need replacing.

I thought maybe the catch that engages on the frame/body might need adjusting.

Has anyone else experienced the same problem. Any clues/advice would be great.

Thanks

[Andy's Auto Repair]

I have fixed this issue in the past by adding a vacuum cap to the actuator rod to lenghten it. Sometimes the puck it hits gets bent, wore, or just rusts out, other times the rod will bend.

[Bill Rose]

I'd pull the door panel off, and shine a flashlight on the latch. That will show you what the problem is.

[1966_L78]

I put on a replacement handle, and a few days later I had a similar problem (although I didn't try "leaning" on the door). door opened fine from the inside...
Turned out the rod on the back of the button was loose... The rod is bent, so when spun sideways, it no longer hit the other portion/bar correctly... Pulled it apart, tightened the rod, and its been fine...

[31 chevy]

New door handles are notorious for this. The last 2 cars I worked on had this issue. I broke out the mig and added material to the actuator rod to give it some more length. Simple repair.

[Aus SS396]

Thanks for comments