Any recommendations for new door latch source for a 70, or are they all the same quality? Also, driver's door won't open so any advice on how to force it once I get panel off? I assume the return spring is broken. Lots of fun with new Legendary panels, windlace in the way, sil plate in the way, argh...
Greg, Buick Farm may have an original for your car. I noticed some latches when I was looking for other stuff, but didn't pay attention to specific application. Good luck!
I had the same thing happen to one of my doors. What I had done was install new door handles and buttons. The problem was the pins on the back of the buttons were straight on the new ones and not bent downward like the originals. What happened was the straight pins went over the top of the “paddles” on the door opening mechanism and pinned the door latch mechanism in the locked position. Once I figured that out I was able to pry the pin off the mechanism and get the door open. I had just enough room to do this with the window down. Your door not opening problem might be the door handle buttons and not the lock mechanism. If you do decide to buy new locking mechanisms the 68-70 units are different then the 71-72 units. On a 68-70 you need to push the lock button down and hold the door handle button in to lock the doors. On a 71-72 car you push the button down and just shut the door to lock it. If you need some original 68-70 units I may have some. Good luck. Duane
See if you can look inside the door to see if the door handle button has slid on top of the “paddle”. That will tell you if that is the problem. Duane
Thanks for the replies. Turned out the fork bolt spring was too weak to pop it open. Removed the door panel - after removing kick panel, rear seats, rear door panel (to pull the windlace out of the way), seat belt retractor, etc. Finally got the door panel off and could tell the linkages were working. I actually actuated the latch detent lever with a rod, still no go. so I zip-tied the inside handle up and gave it a good kick, easy to do with the top down, and it popped open. Had to drill out the screws on the latch and finally got it out. It actually still worked when not on the striker, just super weak. Bought a new latch from TPP and all back together and working again.
