Stuck Door

[Marty73]

So replaced the driver side door hinges on my 73 Challenger, shut the door....and that's it

Sucker is stuck closed, won't budge. Loosened the hing bolts I could get too...no joy

Beat, kicked and swore at it to no avail. Lifted up/down/sideways on the door whil e yanking on the door handle and still stuck.

Any tips before I take a pry bar to this thing?

[Cudajason]

is the door handle installed and working properly????

[Cuda Cody]

Is it locked?

[Chryco Psycho]

lower the window & take a look inside the door you might be able to hook the latch release with a wire

[anlauto]

Is it locked?

Least I'm not the only one thinking this...

[RUNCHARGER]

It does sound locked, if not take CPs suggestion. There is room to do that in the back.

[mopar jack]

Park it on the street tonight and it will get opened.

[Marty73]

It's unlocked - at least it seems to be. When lifting the latch (inside or outside) I don't hear the "crab claw" release.

Does anyone have a close up diagram so I know where to pry on the latch form the inside. I can't find one online

thanks!

[Cuda Cody]

That's what it would feel like if it was locked.   

[Cudajason]

I do not think there is any where you can pry on the door with out damaging it.

I would check the lock mechanism and make sure it is not engaged.  I assume the door panel is off?

If you are sure it is locked, try lifting the door handle on the outside and pushing in on the door.  I know that sounds counter intuitive, but my door binds up sometimes and a good push in always releases it.

Jason

[Rich G.]

If you only changed the hinge the door handle should be ok. It's probably binding on the stryker. I'd go in on the other side and try a body slam from the inside. Can't get much leverage from the outside. That happened to me when I replaced my stryker. Talk about panic!!!

[HEMICUDA]

The reproduction strikers are junk, they are solid steel without the rubber cushion.  When you replaced the new hinges, chances are, the door angle changed the least little bit.   With solid strikers, that's exactly what will happen.

[cuda dad]

Try rolling the window down and opening with both inside and outside handles at the same time.

[B5fourspeed]

Cody,someone hit my 70 Cuda passenger door in 1973.I could not get the door open no matter what I did.I was sure the accident  was the cause of the door not being able to open.After 15 minutes of  trying to open the door with my friends pulling on it I looked down and noticed the door was locked.

[Marty73]

I got some time next week to go out and beat on it -

Like a few of you mentioned, I'm betting the striker. I'll let you guys know what happens