'72 coupe door latch

[John S.]

I recently broke my drivers side door handle (original) and replaced it with a GM restoration unit. While I was at it I decided to remove the door latch and clean 32 years worth of grease, dirt, etc. from it with a toothbrush and solvent. I lubed the latch and it seemed to function smoothly. I re-installed the latch, hooked up the linkages, and checked to see if the lock and opening
mechanisms worked. To make a long story short, the door ended up locking and
would not respond to the key cylinder or inside knob to unlock it (from the door
closed position.) I replaced the key cylinder as the pawl had worn and just spun around too much. It seems that there is a spring that is weak or a part of the
latch that has too much play in it to respond to the unlocking function. Is the
door latch have replaceable parts and/or adjustments that I don't see? I tried
making some linkage adjustments (no change). Also, the door latches properly on the stud. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike M.]

Re: '72 coupe door latch

I recently did the same with my '72 Convertible. Used a GM replacement handle. Same problem, door would not open. Reason, on the replacement handle, the cam on the movable plate, that activates the lever which connects to the door latch/lock, was hitting the handle housing before it reached full travel. I finally ground about 1/16" off the side of the activation cam so that it would not hit the housing and the problem was solved. It was hard to find this with the handle mechanism out of the car as it was the side loading on the unit (caused by the off angle of the rod that connects to the latch) that caused the interference to occur, i.e., you could not see or feel it until the handle was installed.
Remove the handle mechanism and look at it as you depress the top plate. I bet you will find the cam does not line up with the hole in the housing. You may have to remove a little metal on the side of the cam that is nearest the housing.

Mike

[Wayne W.]

Re: '72 coupe door latch

It is not adjusted correctly. It has to be adjusted so that it will unlatch the door, but that it will release far enough to let the lock mechanism work. Shorten up on the adjustment so that the handle has to travel farther to unlatch the door.

[John S.]

Re: '72 coupe door latch

I apparently did not do my adjustments properly and with your advice was able to
fine tune my adjustment with the door handle linkage and make everything work.
Thanks for your input; I have recently joined NCRS because the past couple of
years I have posted questions in this forum and have gotten excellent advice
and worthwhile information. Your expertise is greatly appreciated!

[Jack H.]

Welcome to the club!!! *NM*