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Drivers' door difficult to open

Tiny
N8ER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
I have the car listed above SL model. I am having problems opening the driver’s door from inside and outside. On the inside I have to yank hard and fast to get it to open. I’m afraid something is going to break.

On the outside handle I have to yank it in upwards motion, and it will open.

What do I need to replace? Thank you!
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Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 AT 6:49 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Hi,

I don't think anything needs to be replaced, but rather, I feel there may be an adjustment issue.

Because of the model year, I don't have a ton of specifics, but I will try my best to explain.

Both interior and exterior have a linkage between the handle and the door latch. If you look at pic 1, it shows the linkage rod from the outside latch. If I recall, the interior handle has a cable and not a steel rod.

What we need to do is remove the interior door, trim panel. The remaining pics show how that is done. Once it is removed, look inside the door where the latch assembly is located. Check for evidence of either of the linkages slipping. If you can get a picture for me, it may help me identify a potential problem.

Try this and let me know what you find or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
N8ER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I finally removed the door panel and found the plastic piece broken. It’s at the end of the screwdriver.

I’ve got the plastic piece off and have a new one, but the rod came off the other end and I’m not sure where or how it attached. It’s very hard to see where it goes.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Hi,

At the other end of the linkage (steer rod), it connects to the door latch assembly the same way as the one in your picture.

I found a pic of the latch assembly and highlighted where (if I recall correctly) where it attaches. However, are you sure it is also detached?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic 1.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
N8ER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes, the rod is in my box of parts. It is difficult to see in the door where it is to attach.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
N8ER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I can’t believe that the broken plastic piece that was on the door handle would make it that difficult to open it.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
There is a chance that the linkage was in a bind or the latch itself may have caused this to happen. The best thing to do is install it and see if it is the same or easier.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
N8ER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I’m not sure where the other end of the rod goes. Does the other end have a plastic piece like the one that’s on the door handle?
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Hi,

If you open the door, locate where the latch assembly is on the door. That assembly that holds the door shut is the latch and that is where the linkage connects.

As far as the connector is concerned, it should be the same type. It could be a different color.

Let me know if you are able to locate it.

Joe
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Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 AT 6:23 PM

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