Door Lock Issue

[charliec]

I'm trying to re-assemble the doors on my '68 Dart TDHT. Everything was going back together well until I got to the manual door lock. I have all the linkages installed, but the levers inside the door interfere and keep the locking mechanism from moving all the way into position. See the photo below.

The rod on the right comes from the knob on the top of the door. When the knob is pushed down, the rod on the right (red arrow) moves down, and the lock lever (outlined in blue) pivots up on the left. The vertical rod on the left goes to the lock tumbler. When the door lock knob is pushed down, the end of the lever (where that red grommet is) moves in a small arc (red arrow). The problem is that the latch lever (outlined in yellow) is in the way of the lock lever and it stops the lock lever (outlined in blue) from moving as far as it needs to. You can even see in the photo where the lock lever used to move, but it won't go that far now. I can't figure out how to get that yellow-outlined latch lever from interfering.

 

[j_anderson]

curious to know the same. I am having the same issue when trying to button up my '72. Driver side latch for me. Same exact issue. following along for the answer.

edit: I engaged the latch with my finger to lock it in the closed position and the lock lever still wouldn't move.

 

[Cuda Al]

Close the door, will not lock unless the door is closed.
You can imitate the striker with a deep socket.


Alan

 

[Kendog 170]

I know 68 you can't lock your keys in the car. You have to use the key. Is the door fully closed when doing this? IDK just guessing here if that lever is related.

 

[Kendog 170]

Alan beat me to it ! lol

 

[charliec]

I already tried that. I simulated the door being closed by pushing the latches in with a screwdriver till they clicked as if the door was on the car and shut. I'll post some more photos in a few minutes.

 

[Cuda Al]

I already tried that. I simulated the door being closed by pushing the latches in with a screwdriver till they clicked as if the door was on the car and shut. I'll post some more photos in a few minutes.

Two clicks?


Alan

 

[charliec]

Yes, two clicks. Below are photos of the two levers in various positions. This is the levers when the door latch is open. The latch lever in the rear in this photo is the one that's giving me the problem. The arrow is pointing to the end of the latch lever.

I pushed the latches in two clicks. The first click set the latch plate on the right. I pushed further and the latch plate on the left clicks into place.

With the latch plates in the position shown above, the levers inside the door look like this. The near lever moves down against a stop. The rear lever doesn't move at all, so its still in the way of the lock lever.

 

[charliec]

If I push the door handle button to open the door, the near latch releases. The far latch doesn't do anything.
@j_anderson is that the same thing you experience?

 

[j_anderson]

I’ll try again this weekend but I’m pretty sure I have the wrong latch on mine. I believe I have the earlier latch that has the snap on rod. It snaps into place over a ball on the handle and the other end on the latch. My door handle has a hole for a rod not a ball.

Either way, I’m taking the latch out and I’ll get a better look

 

[4spdragtop]

Some years of latches are not interchangeable. I found that out with my 69 cuda.

 

[4spdragtop]

Here's a thread I started with some.pics and info.
[WANTED] - 69 door latch

 

[charliec]

I’ll try again this weekend but I’m pretty sure I have the wrong latch on mine. I believe I have the earlier latch that has the snap on rod. It snaps into place over a ball on the handle and the other end on the latch. My door handle has a hole for a rod not a ball.

Either way, I’m taking the latch out and I’ll get a better look

This is the '68 version.

 

[charliec]

Solved it! I had to push the latch one more click to set the rear lever. That clears it so the lock knob goes all the way down.

Thanks all.

First click Second click

 

[Dana67Dart]

It's the little wins in life

 

[j_anderson]

Solid!