The Ford Barn

Special Coupe Frank · 06-08-2010, 01:52 PM

The passenger-side door of my '28 Coupe will not open from the inside.

The inside handle ( "flips-out" from the door ) will operate the latch, but will not pull the bolt far enough to clear the strike in the door pillar.

Is it as simple as removing the trim panel, then removing and bending the remote rod as needed ?

Should the rod be heated first ?

Thanks !

SC Frank

1931 flamingo · 06-08-2010, 06:15 PM

As you said, probably able to "form" cold. Wiser ones may chime in.
Paul in CT

Special Coupe Frank · 06-12-2010, 08:42 AM

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I had to take the door apart to fix the window regulator, so "while I was in there", I decided to see if I could adjust the remote-rod for the door latch.

I found an original remote rod and (probably) a repro latch.

There was a good 1/4" of lost-motion between the end of the rod and the latch lever that it contacts, so I figured it might be as simple as removing the rod and giving it a twist to improve its geometry, and try to bring the rod just into contact with the latch lever.

I clamped a pair of vise-grips on the handle end, and a monkey-wrench with wide jaws on the latch end, and carefully gave things a twist.

After this tweak, I put the rod back in the door for a test fit; I had tweaked things enough to elminate almost all lost motion, but I noticed the rod now had a bow in the middle...

I didn't think about the hole in the middle of the rod for the return spring: it is a weak-spot; another tweak and the rod would have probably broken.

Probably best to heat the rod near the end and clamp the vise-grips between the spring and the end that you're twisting on.

It made some improvement, but not enough to open the door from the inside... now I either have to bend the corresponding finger on the latch, and/ or take some stock of the strike lip ( looks like someone built it up with weld....)

06-08-2010, 01:52 PM	#1
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	'28-'29 Coupe: adjusting inside door remote ? The passenger-side door of my '28 Coupe will not open from the inside. The inside handle ( "flips-out" from the door ) will operate the latch, but will not pull the bolt far enough to clear the strike in the door pillar. Is it as simple as removing the trim panel, then removing and bending the remote rod as needed ? Should the rod be heated first ? Thanks ! SC Frank

06-08-2010, 06:15 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,392	Re: '28-'29 Coupe: adjusting inside door remote ? As you said, probably able to "form" cold. Wiser ones may chime in. Paul in CT

06-12-2010, 08:42 AM	#3
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Update: '28-'29 Coupe: adjusting inside door remote ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had to take the door apart to fix the window regulator, so "while I was in there", I decided to see if I could adjust the remote-rod for the door latch. I found an original remote rod and (probably) a repro latch. There was a good 1/4" of lost-motion between the end of the rod and the latch lever that it contacts, so I figured it might be as simple as removing the rod and giving it a twist to improve its geometry, and try to bring the rod just into contact with the latch lever. I clamped a pair of vise-grips on the handle end, and a monkey-wrench with wide jaws on the latch end, and carefully gave things a twist. After this tweak, I put the rod back in the door for a test fit; I had tweaked things enough to elminate almost all lost motion, but I noticed the rod now had a bow in the middle... I didn't think about the hole in the middle of the rod for the return spring: it is a weak-spot; another tweak and the rod would have probably broken. Probably best to heat the rod near the end and clamp the vise-grips between the spring and the end that you're twisting on. It made some improvement, but not enough to open the door from the inside... now I either have to bend the corresponding finger on the latch, and/ or take some stock of the strike lip ( looks like someone built it up with weld....)