1998 Suburban inside door release not working

[Smokey]

Well, it kind of works, but it is very difficult to get the door open most of the time. It's like the latch is not fully releasing. Opening it from the outside handle works great. Being it is the drivers door, I need to get it fixed since I don't want to wear out the power window to use the outside latch, and climbing over to exit the other side with winter clothes on is more work than I care to do.

I am assuming that some linkage part is bent or broken. I've searched the web enough to determine that I can probably get the door panel off using screwdrivers and putty knives, but now I'm wondering if I really want to try this without any "special" body shop tools. When, not if, I break a few of these 13 year old plastic retaining clips, will I be able to get new ones easily? How about the latch and/or linkage parts? Are these GM dealer stocked parts only?

If I wimp out and take it to a shop, what is my best bet? Body shop? GM dealership?

[jwhjr]

I had to replace the driver's side inside handle on our 99 Suburban. It wasn't a bad job. If I remember correctly the handle is riveted in. I just drilled them out and replaced with bolts. It was still working like new when it was totaled out back in September.

[Smokey]

Did you have to buy parts? Where?

[Macgyver55]

Quote:

When, not if, I break a few of these 13 year old plastic retaining clips, will I be able to get new ones easily?

Yes they are readily available

How about the latch and/or linkage parts?

Also readily available

Are these GM dealer stocked parts only?

I've gotten them at Napa before. They stock gray but can get other colors too! You should be able to get the latch and a bag of retainer clips for around 25 bucks.

Another thing to check before doing the latch would be the door latch alignment with the pin, and the door hinge itself. Does the door "drop" a bit just after you open it? If the hinge is worn, it causes the door to rest the weight of the door on the pin itself rather than on the hinge. It sometimes makes you have to use more effort to get it open. If those are ok, it could be a worn handle or a bent linkage but you will have to open it up to find out.

[Smokey]

The pin that the latch locks on to is VERY marred up. I thought is was because the latch was not releasing properly, but I will check the door to see if perhaps the hinge pins are causing slop.

If they are, is this a difficult repair?

[Macgyver55]

Pin repair kits are available too but its a bit more involved because the hinges are welded in so you have to do it with the door in place or completely remove it.

[Smokey]

I don't feel any play in the hinges as I lift on the door, but lifting up by grabbing the plastic pocket at the bottom of the door seems to make it unlatch easily from the inside. My 10 minute attempt at a fix was to loosen the 3 torx head bolts holding the latch and moving the latch up a bit. The latch wouldn't move much, it may have improved things slightly.

[Macgyver55]

The latch is not the adjustment, pin itself is adjustable. Loosen it, lower it and retighten.

That should help a lot.

[trolloni]

Smokey my 98 did the same thing , its the plastic piece inside where you pull on the handle 15 bucks at napa easy to take out and replace you dont need to adjust anything, that plastic just wears enough it wont pull the cable far enough to unlatch the door you say it works fine from the outside it hooks to the same latch so it cant be any kind of an adjustment issue.

[crackcrappie]

johns auto parts in blaine use to help me on my 96 chevy truck just a poor chevy design again thats why i drive a ford now

[Smokey]

You are right, it works perfectly using the outside handle, and I made sure to not lift up on the door when using the outside handle. I'll pull it apart later this week and replace the inside latch.

[Macgyver55]

The pin that the latch locks on to is VERY marred up.

[Smokey]

OK, I'll give it a shot tonight.

[Smokey]

I tried adjusting the pin, unfortunately it seems that it was near the bottom of it's adjustment range already. It still sticks a little about half the time, so I'm going to go after the latch.

This most likely means that I'll keep putting it off until it gets worse, and my wife calls to tell me that she is trapped inside the truck.

[Smokey]

Put a new inside latch handle assembly in today. About 16 bucks and an hour and a half of my time. Works like new again. The old one was nearly busted through the plastic at the pivot point. Thanks for all the info.

[jeffreyd]

make sure you use white lube on the latch too also penetrating oil or wd40 on the hinges. good luck