Door latch problem.

[mikey531]

I have an issue with my door latch that I can't find a solution. I can find how to fix it when broken but mine still works it's just loose? Broken spring? Any ideas?
Thanks

[ghackett1]

I think you’re gonna need to remove the door panel and take the handle off. You will see what it needs when you get to it from the back side.

[Ironangel]

What's happened is the keeper on the pin has slipped. When that happens, the button is no longer held in by the compressed spring. Take the handle off and you will see a pin connected to the button with a spring and a keeper. The keeper is held in place by staked edges in the handle casting that come loose over time. I've simply compressed the spring and keeper back into position and restake the edges of the casting. A drop of 5-minute epoxy on the restaked areas, four of them, will help reinforce the corroded or weakened staked edges. Check for the flat keeper in the bottom of the door if it's no longer on the button pin.

[mikey531]

I have looked at a you tube fix and the problem I have is just opposite. my button works fine but just sticks out from the handle, see photo. The videos show the backing plate for the spring is broken but mine appears to be there as the push button works ?

[mikey531]

Any one seen an exploded view of the door latch? I have watched you tube video of the end plate falling off or the spring falling out. I don't have the problem the door opens fine but the push button is loose !

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

If a spray of say white lithium grease doesn't straighten her up then you have to pull the door panel and handle to see what's up. Incidentally, the exterior door handle is probably the problem, it presses the release on the door latch. Sometimes the handle's push rod needs to be cut to fit, can't say if that's the problem, but post #3 describes what's probably wrong and how to fix it.

[mikey531]

The door worked fine for 6 months, but the plate that breaks on the inside can't be broken and the spring must be ok as the door works fine when I move the button to fit in the hole. So the back plate has to be in place and the rod has to be the correct length. That is why I am confused as to what is happening?? That is why I wanted to see what holds the button in the door handle. Thanks

[HO455]

Lucky for you I have a broken handle on the top of my winter project pile.

The photos are pretty self explanitory so I believe that the steel plate on the bottom of your button has broken off the button. (Photo #2) That plate catches the lip inside the handle (Green arrow photo #3) and keeps the button in place.

As to why the button hasn't fallen out I'm guessing there is enough rust on the shaft to keep it trapped in place.

Hope this helps.

[mikey531]

Thanks My latch was new 3 years ago It doesn't make any sense. The only thing I can think of is that the button has pushed through the handle It appears there is a lip around where the button goes through and that lip has broken or worn off. If the spring was broken or the plate fell off the door wouldn't open. All I have to do is line up the button with opening on the handle and it works fine. In my picture you see how it has moved out of the handle. I might have to get a new handle to fix it.

[HO455]

Is yours a reproduction handle?

I posted photos of an original handle a repop may be completely different inside.

[mikey531]

Yes it is. The door latch works fine all I have to do is make sure the push button is lined up with the handle.

[HO455]

Short of pulling the handle you might post a new thread with the title of "Wanting photos of Brand X reproduction door handle. Mine is broke!" Or something specific like that and maybe someone who used them in a their project will respond. I would also do a search for the reproduction handle problems or issues.

And hopefully you're not like me and end up having only handle to have ever failed. Because that how I roll.

Good luck.