Can't Get the Driver's Door Opened

[AngliaGT]

...on my '94 Dodge Dakota.The lower hinge was having some problems,but would still open & close.
I went out yesterday,& could only get it to release,but not open.I've tried putting pressure on the bottom of
the door while pulling the handle.... still nothing.Help!

- Doug

 

[aeronca65t]

Are you lifting "up" while pulling? If not, try it.

You could also try a small pry bar under the door as you are pulling out.
Wrap the bar in a towel or old t-shirt to prevent scratching the paint.

Or do what I have done in the past.
Get in from the other door. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[AngliaGT]

Nial,

Thanks - I tried that.I also get in on the RHS now,
it looks so uncool.However if it were RHD......

- Doug

 

[racingenglishcars]

I've heard that lubrication works on door hinges sometimes.

 

[AweMan]

You Are lucky it is only the hinge giving you problems. I have a 95 Dakota and the drivers door refused to open at all. Come to find out the rods {all four of them} that connect the various handles/lock mechanisms had completely fallen off of the catch/latch mechanism.
With the door closed and NOT able to be opened and the door panel securly in place there is NO WAY to access these rods and catch/latch mechanism. NOR can you remove the door via removing the hinges. WHAT A DELEMA!
Options:
cut a hole in the door panel via a die grinder to access the mechanism.
Break out the door handle on the outside {plastic} and hope you can "Fish" a wire in to pull the proper lever to release the door catch.
Either way, pay $ for a new panel or door handle. Pluss the cost of what ever rods and retaining clips are necessary to restore the door catch/latch mechanism to proper working order.
Now looking at possibly removing the seat, in hopes that I can detach the door panel if only enough to get my hand behind it and hope I can find the correct lever to release the door.
any suggestions?
Kerry

 

[AngliaGT]

I stopped by a body shop to make an appointment to get the lower hinge welded.The owner said that one of his employees was in between jobs,so he did it right away.
- $25.
The door latch mechanism is failing,so I'll have to
replace that ($75).Seems to be a common problem with
these trucks.
There's also a complete early '90's Dakota (minus the
4cylinder engine)on the Oregon Coast craigslist for $250.
Looks immaculate (garage kept).

- Doug

 

[racingenglishcars]

Hey Kerry.
I was just going to suggest removing the seat (after reading almost all of your post) but just before I submitted, I read your last line.
At least I didn't make a complete fool out of myself. But the point is that I had done that several times with success.

Actually my pride was one time with a 53 Bentley R type. The trunk lid latch was not connected to the handle and the trunk was Completely tight, and no screws accessable from the outside. Come to think of it, I don't really remember how I got it open, but I remember it was not through the back seat and that it was imperative that I didn't scratch the paint. And I did get it open.

 

[AweMan]

Donn:
I did manage to remove the seat, but ..... what a P.I.T.A. getting to the last bolt on the rear drivers side. I was able to completely remove the door panel {the window winder handle is NO picnic either} Not to mention placing the rods and new retaining clips back on the mechanism! {Not much room to get HUGE hands and fat fingers in there.} Would have been much easier if I could have gotten the window track out of the way, but I didn`t want to dissassemble the whole door! In any case the door will open/close/lock and unlock now! Every one of the PLASTIC retaining clips were null and void {Non functional} ALL of the various rods were dangling in mid air connected to nothing. Whom ever decided to make these retaining clips out of plastic instead of spring steel need to be hung in the town square With a huge sign that says "I`m an IDIOT and I don`t deserve to live"
{I`m really not quite that radical but some times I feel like a nut} /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/lol.gif
Kerry

 

[racingenglishcars]

Good going! Nobody said they're easy, but at least the hard part's done. Now it's just reassembly with new clips and stuff.