Please help! Door (pushbutton) latch assembly

[grantur01]

A few days ago the latch got stuck up for the push button(door latch) on the drivers side. Well I have taken the door panel off tonight but it was getting too dark for me to see well. For those of you that know. There is the rod that is connected to the door lock itself. There is another rod that connects to the latch inside the door for the push button latch (outside). That rod isn't connected to anything. It looks like there is a hole that the bottom of the rod attatches to. Its on the same piece that the bottom of the rod for the door lock is on. That piece doesn't lift up far enough for me to attatch the rod for the push button latch in the hole(for the hook at the bottom of the rod?? How in the #@%@!!!!!!! Someone please help me. Is there somthing missing???? All i see is that the rod is hooked at the end and it is supposed to slip into that hole on the same piece that the door lock rod is also hooked into??? Or am i wrong???

I really apologize for the vague description. I hope someone that has run into this problem will be able to make sence out of my ramblings. Thanks!!!

 

[grantur01]

bump, sorry

 

[65 fastback]

I have my door panels off and can check for you, but I'm having a hard time understanding your problem. Can you repost what you need checked?

I might even be able to shoot a couple of pics for you.

Tim

 

[mustangdave]

Can't help with the rod but on my 67 the latch stuck open and the door would not latch. It turned out there is a spring to pull the latch shut which I found in one of my many catalogues. It was a real p.i.t.a. to attach; really long needle nose pliers, a flashlight, and a cut up arm were involved. It would pay for you to order the assembly manual. I've got one for my 67 and scanned the pic into my computer, blew it up, cleared it up, and then I could see what I needed to do.

 

[grantur01]

I'm sorry guys for my vague description. I really need a digital camera to take pics. It would be easy then!!!

Ok inside ur door. There are two rods that run pretty much the length of the door. One Rod is connected to the locks(inside for unlocking/locking door). The other rod is attatched to a latch that ur push button(on the handle, on the outside of the door, to open the door) is attatched.

Picture this, your outside of your car and you want to open the door to get in. The push button pushes all the way in with no "catch" feel(meaning the door isn't unlatching). So the door won't open. So you pull the panel to see inside the door and see that the rod that is ultimately attatched to the latch of the push button is not connected to anything at the bottom of the rod. Now looking at the other rod that is connected to your door locks/stems, is hooked at the bottom of the rod.

I stuck a mirror inside the door to see that there is a hole that a hook would go into(same unit as the door locks rod is hooked into). MUSTANGDAVE, you bring up a good point... maybe I'm missing a spring that will attatch to the hook at the bottom of the rod and then hook into the pivot piece(towards the bottom of the door)

I looked at the Haynes. I doesn't explain anything!!

I appreciate your help guys!! really! let me know if u need anything!

 

[GaPonyFarm]

Sounds to me like you lost the retainer for the rod from the pushbutton. Its probably sitting in the bottom of the door. You're right the rod does go to the latch mechanism. You might be well advised to order the Body Assembly Manual. Its a pretty complex thing to describe. You might be better off to remove the door latch assembly to see better where it goes.

 

[grantur01]

thanks for the reply! Where can I find the Body Assembly Manual??? I've heard this a couple times now in the past few days. thanks again

 

[GaPonyFarm]

I know for sure that Mustangs Unlimited sell them. About $25.00 IIRC. You might also want to order the Electrical, Interior, & Chassis assembly manuals also. There is a also the Ford Shop Manual. These are all excellant resources, if you plan on working on your own car, or plan on keeping it for a while. A great investment.

 

[65 fastback]

The rod that attaches to the lock tumbler (exterior door handle) attaches below the other rod that you see. It sounds like the retainer clip is broken or missing.

In the picture you can see both rods, the one to the left runs up to the lock tumbler.

 

[MrBobMarley]

My retainer clip was sitting on the bottom of my door a week after I got the car. Put it on and door worked again.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

What are the odds that somebody would have that pic.... You just saved somebody alot of work, 65 Fastback!

 

[grantur01]

You are the man 65FASTBACK!!!

That was the perfect help! Well it makes more since now. There is nothing at the bottom of my door though. I looked last night and couldn't find that retainer clip or whatever it is anywhere. Looks like I'll have to order it then... along with some assembly manuals.


REally thanks so much for the help!!!!

 

[Cobain03]

hey not to be smart but i bought a shop manuel and it has everything for it in there i mean evertything it has really help me

 

[65 fastback]

Important Note!

I have been working on my door locks, too, lately. I ordered some retainer clips. There were two choices: plastic clips - $1.50 ea and "Like original" clips - $4.95 ea. Well, I got the plastic clips - total POS - I couldn't get them to work for S!. Long story short, I reordered the "like original" clips - worked great, major improvement.

Get the like original clips, I got mine from VA Mustang. Also, go ahead and order a couple of extras, just incase.

Good luck,
Tim