rear door won't open - now fixed!

[Gubni]

I just got a 96 F350 with a 7.3 at auction. It was a great deal, but one of the issues is that the drivers side rear door won't open. When you press the button from the outside there's no resistance. It also won't open from the inside and the lock knob goes up and down like it should. Any suggestions?

 

[TurboTy]

sounds like somethings wrong with the latch, whether the rod from each handle fell off, or are too bent to actually actuate the latch, or the latch is f'd up. Best bet is try to take the interior door panel off, i know it'll be a pita, but then you can get to the latch and hopefully you can open it from there.

 

[Gubni]

Yep, it looks like I'm going to have to pull the rear seat to get the panel off. Oh well. Thanks for the input.

 

[Gubni]

I was able to get the panel off without pulling the rear seat. Unfortunately I still can't get the door open. I suspect it's a lock related problem. I disconnected the rod for the electric door lock motor from the latch. The motor seemed to work, but just in case. It seems the lock knob doesn't move up and down as far as the others. It moves at least 1/4" and maybe more, but just a little less than the others. I can't take the latch apart because it bolts on from the outside. I soaked it in PB Blaster and worked the lock and handle about 100 times and still nothing. I'll let the PB soak and try more later.


Anyone else had a door that wouldn't open? What did you do?


No I'm not going to get the torch out yet. There is a peacefull solution.

 

[Gubni]

Got it fixed!

You can't unlock a door if someone is trying to open it.

The push knob from the outside was stuck in which wouldn't allow me to unlock the door. The pivot in the door behind it was rusted up. I sprayed it with PB blaster and pulled the rod down that went from the outside handle to the latch. In the process it the knob got pushed out. I then worked the door lock from the inside and it opened with ease.

I worked the outside handle several times while push-pulling on the rod untill it got loose. I'll let the PB blaster dry for a few days then spray it with lithium grease to prevent the problem from reoccuring.

 

[TurboTy]

there ya go, good to see you got it fixed!