Door trouble - almost fell out :(

[Si|v3r72]

Yep now my driver's side door won't latch. I took the inside cover off and got a good look and found this (notice the broken spring hanging in mid air):

Also, I found these laying in the bottomof the inside of the door (except the screwdriver). If anyone can identify anything that looks like it might be important I'd appreciate it.

This is what the latch looks like from the outside. I've never had the dovetail and the door has always worked perfectly.

How do I fix my door not latching problem? Is the spring the cause? I can't even get the old spring out of the door - how do I get to it? Thanks in advance for helping befor I fall out of my car .

[EScanlon]

I just have a few minutes to post, so I'll post the answers to your identify the parts picture.

Clockwise starting top left.

1. Sheet Metal Nut, possibly from a speaker installation, or something that was due to grip the fiberboard panel.

2. Possibly part of the same spring that broke. By the way, without that spring the latch bolt just wobbles around in the assembly. You can get the spring replaced by finding another one, but it might be easiest to get a replacement from a junk yard.

3. Rubber Receptacle for the panel hold down clips.

4. Rubber Bumper that goes on the bottom of the door for the window pane at it's lowest point. This uses a clip identical to the ones for the panel to hold it in place on a small rise / bracket almost all the way to the back of the door. If you look on the bottom, right by the pivot point for the locking mechanism you should see where it goes.

5. Side Rear View Mirror Reinforcement bracket. This is simply a reinforcement for the door sheet metal for when you tighten down the nuts on the original mirror. Many after market mirrors use sheet metal screws, and when you drive them in they tend to dislocate this bracket.

Hope this helps

Enrique

[Si|v3r72]

Can anyone tell me how I go about getting the broken spring out and a new one in? I've jiggled the old spring to death and it won't come out of there.

[EScanlon]

I don't know if I can. I'm not sure what it's caught on if it isn't still on the mechanism.

You should be able to look at it and determine whether it's something caught between the spiral or if it is still attached at one of it's ends.

Sorry, this is where you have to figure it out.