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Posts: 16
| Hi, folks. I have a 1956 DeSoto Firedome sedan that I picked up in November, and now I'm in a bit of a jam. The front passenger door is closed and not responding to either handle, inside or out. It balked at opening one day but I was able to open it with a good shove (after partially stripping the threads on the external door handle trying to pull it open). I closed it and it closed great (the hinges are fine and it closes easily, so I don't think it's binding), but now it is stuck in the closed position. Because the outer door handle partially stripped its threads, I've been able to work it mostly loose and can see the latch mechanism inside the door, and I ordered a used unit off eBay, which I have in my possession. So here's the situation with the latch: so far as I can tell, when you operate either door handle you turn an arm that ends in a pawl that prevents the star wheel from spinning. This pawl has two other pawls that align with it and are operated by the primary, and all three have a dedicated spring that holds them against the wheel to secure the door. When I pull on either handle (or fully press the outer button with my finger when the handle's out of the way) I am feeling the spring resist me, but only one of the springs is moving. When I operate the replacement part, all of the pawls and springs move. So I believe that whatever method that was used to secure the middle and opposite pawl to the primary has failed, and I'm releasing only one of the three and that's why the door won't budge.
I read a few of the posts about doors that won't stay closed, and it was mentioned that a broken spring(s) can cause the star wheel.to spin freely and prevent the door from latching, soooo.... Am I wrong to think that if I can manage to break the springs (which I can see and touch through the external door hole with the handle slid down) that the door may just fall open at that point? I just spent some time trying to cut them with a chisel or drill into them with no luck either way, so does anyone have any ideas or tricks to get this door open?
Thanks to all! |
Door stuck closed
