Push button door handle blues...

[Anonymous]

Went out the other night with the missus for a drive in the Charger...when we got to our destination she got out of the car and before I could say "don't push the door lock button down and then aggressively slam the door!" .....she had pushed the door lock button down and aggressively slammed the door...

Now, when I press the exterior door handle button (1968 B-Body), it does nothing.
I am presuming their is some kind of rod/circlip/linkage arrangement in the door, and it has been bent. - or has she knacked the handle itself?

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on the layout of the locking push button mechanism so I have an idea before I start pulling the fragile door trim off the inside of my door....
Nick

[Anonymous]

Hey Nick, taking the door cards off isnt that bad. Yes it is a little fragile, but it isnt too bad.

The handle / locking mechanism is connected by a rod, and these rods are held in position in a couple of places by plastic clips. If the rod still pokes through the top of your door pad, thats good, you just need to make sure the rod isnt bent or detached at the lock end. Take the door card off to check through the access holes. From there you will be able to see / feel if anything has become dislodged or is detached.

Does the door button spring out after you have pressed it in?

[Anonymous]

If the rod still pokes through the top of your door pad, thats good

Does the door button spring out after you have pressed it in?

Yes to both of those Clivey, it looks as if there is no problem....if I press the button in, it springs back out, natural feel. The only thing is I have to open the door from the inside (which also is no problem - no resistance or feeling that anything is fouling.) Well will have to sort it out after the weekend, or I'll be driving the car to the shows with a stripped out door, as I barely have time to wash the birds muck off it before the show, let alone fix it!
Cheers mate,
Nick

[Charger]

if I press the button in, it springs back out, natural feel. The only thing is I have to open the door from the inside (which also is no problem - no resistance or feeling that anything is fouling.)

I had a very similar problem recently with both my doors, they would open ok from the inside but not from the outside if unlocked with the key. Even if I turned the key to unlock the door, pushing the button it just felt like the door was still locked!!

I took the cards off and oiled the latch mechanism and anything else that moved in there, all the rod pivots etc. for the outside door release & lock and inside door release & lock. They work like new now!!

The only rod I had to ‘adjust’ was the drivers’ door lock barrel to latch, basically I put an extra bend in it to effectively reduce the distance between the barrel and the latch. The barrel now operates the locking mechanism on the latch correctly. Think this was just caused by wear in the rod pivots, operating the key wasn’t providing enough throw to release the lock lever on the latch

In short, lubricate everything then see if any adjustment is needed

[Anonymous]

Thanks Si......will do....I'ml usually ok with locks, but its good to know that there is nothing gonna surprise me and go springing circlips everywhere....
Nick

[Adam]

Nick, you'll probably find that the retaining clips are worn or damaged (or missing in my case!). I got reproduction clips from http://www.rtspecialties.net/, and cut up a heavy duty coat hanger to fashion the rods. It was pretty simple to do.

[Anonymous]

Nick, you'll probably find that the retaining clips are worn or damaged (or missing in my case!). I got reproduction clips from http://www.rtspecialties.net/, and cut up a heavy duty coat hanger to fashion the rods. It was pretty simple to do.

Just been to see the bloke I bought the car from, and he has given me a pile of bits - door lock stuff, rubber buffers, chrome (mmmm!) and various nice bits and pieces....maybe there is something in there, if not I'll try rtspecialties....Cheers