[AZ CAMINO]

A buddy of mine has a 70 Trans Am where the driver's door will not open now from the inside or outside, The door handles seem to feel ok and the door lock seems to be working ok, but we are unable to open the door. The door hardware appears to be the same as my 85 El Camino. I'm not sure we can even get the door panel off with the door shut. Has this happened to anybody on their El Camino? Any suggestions for getting the door open so we can pull the door panel to see what needs repaired?

 

[zombieking]

As a firefighter and a member on our extrication team I can get any door open, .........but you're not gonna like it!oke: sorry, couldnt resist, and I have no useful suggestions otherwise.

 

[El Diablo]

slim jim it open

 

[Bobby78]

Lower the window and look down into the door with a light. If the rods from the inside and out side handles are connected and appear to be moving the lock, spray some PB Blaster or other penetrating oil onto the latch and soak it good. Make sure the door lock button is also working and in the unlocked position.
Then get inside and pull the handle as far as possible and give the door a good hard kick. It should pop open.

 

[Mike Zeigler]

If none of the previous suggestions work you may have to remove the upper half of the door panel, if I remember correctly from my 72 Formula 400 the door panels are split. This is not going to be easy but can be done with out damaging the panel.
With the window up you should be able to remove the door striker (with the proper tools), then open the door, remove the lower interior panel, access the latch and address the problem.

Mike

 

[Keyser Sose]

is the car layin on that door? :dontknow: just checkin oke:

 

[LOCKJAW]

Soak the mechanism with WD 40. Try pushing hard from the outside while trying the latch release. Access can bemade by manually tripping the latch from inside once you get the panel out of the way. WD 40 was a big help when I was a working locksmith.

 

[ssiron96]

I got the same problem with my 85. Lock button works from inside switch and with the key. With the key it feels like its working the lock cylinder, but the door will not release. I just had a part because the lock was hanging and had to manipulated until it would finally release. The door handles were free like when the lock is set and would feel like the lock was open. But wouldn't open without fooling with the door handles and lock until something moved. There's no way the door panel will come out with the door closed. Ican see down to the latch thru the top of the door but can't see enough of the latch to see a way to unlatch?? Any advise would help.
WTxSS

 

[Mr. Fin]

is the car layin on that door? :dontknow: just checkin oke:

OKay, And why do you need the door to open? Dale Earnhardt and Jimmy Johnson's cars don't have doors that open and they get to work on time.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs...mbe1m4p7aye15yxb.jpg?t=702813621&action=click

 

[JJLT1]

take the seat out first, then remove the door panel ..
.
as for whats wrong, could be the pull rods have been stretched, and lost some of there bends??
lube all ways helps..
.
:texas:

 

[randycamino52]

I had the hinges wore on my 84 letting the door drop down and the latch pin was hanging up on the door latch mechanism. You might thy slipping a bar under the lower door edge and lifting up while someone tries to open the door. That's what I had to do with mine. Didn't see this on here so thought I would put in my 2cents