Doors Not Opening

[special-K]

On my '95 Suburban, first the passenger side door was not wanting to open from inside. The passenger needs to bump it with their shoulder while pulling the handle. Ok, probably linkage because it opens fine from outside. But seems strange that door got much use since until a year ago it was a K-9 unit. I guess they had two officers assigned? Anyway, a couple weeks ago, all at once, the passenger side rear door stopped opening all together...inside or out. How the heck do I fix that? I can't pull the panel with door closed. Now, just a couple days ago, my drivers door stopped opening from inside. The handle is clearly "stretched" to the open position when closed.

So, on the two front doors, what exactly is the issue with the linkage causing this? Does a bend get straightened out? Is there an adjustment or is a part worn?

On the rear side door, what would you do? Do I have to trash the door panel?

[sntrym95]

The plastic bezel where the handle is pops off. IIRC, you'll need a flat head screwdriver to release the clips. Once you have that off, you can remove the handle assembly. It's likely the rod popped off the handle assembly. Look around behind the assembly for the rod and grab it with pliers or your hand and pull. The door should open. Sometimes you can get a new clip for the rod, sometimes the arm is broken or worn and you need a new assembly. The front doors are similar to the rears.

[b454rat]

Many of these have the inside handle break, But before it breaks, it bends, requiring pulling harder on the handle to get it to open. But the guts prolly need a good cleaning and some good lube.

[83GMCK2500]

Exactly what b454 rat said. The design of the interior handles was poor and over time the barrel portion of the pivot will split; along with the hood release it is probably the most commonly broken or wore out part I've seen in 95+ interiors. Skip to 0:50 and watch from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHHz7gzT-Q If you're not intimately familiar with these door panels (or very lucky) plan on replacing a couple of the white two-piece retainer clips. They aren't like the old christmas tree style ones, these are best removed with a direct and sharp tug.

[pwdcougar]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

Exactly what b454 rat said. The design of the interior handles was poor and over time the barrel portion of the pivot will split; along with the hood release it is probably the most commonly broken or wore out part I've seen in 95+ interiors. Skip to 0:50 and watch from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHHz7gzT-Q If you're not intimately familiar with these door panels (or very lucky) plan on replacing a couple of the white two-piece retainer clips. They aren't like the old christmas tree style ones, these are best removed with a direct and sharp tug.

X3

I'm on my 3rd inside driver pull. .

Paul

[b454rat]

Luckily you can buy them at Advanceo Auto or similar store. I had to buy two for my 96. Don't forget to buy small nut and bolts, or rivet them back on. Either way not hard to do. But if your door is closed, you might have to fish around to find the linkage, pull on it to get it open.

[special-K]

Thanks for the answers. My '92 never gave me a problem in more than twice as many miles. I had a '95 from '97-'04 but the problem never arose. I did pull those door panels when I painted it (if I can remember back that far). I figures this would be a common problem on the later design.

On the front doors it is acting like the linkage is over extended...stretched beyond it's range, so not activating latch. It started getting hard and within a few days nothing and the handle is stuck out all the way (won't push back in). Sound like that piece cracked.

[b454rat]

I never had an issue with the older design either. After I bought my 97 in late 01, buddy laughably warned me about the handles. Sure enough, couple months later the driver side went. When you get in there, you will see the linkage, be pretty hard to bent the linkage, it's pretty stiff. You will see where the handle stretches where the linkage goes in.

[special-K]

I'll replace the two front handles. That seems to be the issue there. Now on the back, why would it stop opening from inside or out with no warning? Just all at once won't open using inner or outer handles? And, will I be able to remove the door panel with the door closed? I'll have to crawl back there to check it out once I finish this job and can clear tools away.

[83GMCK2500]

I don't remember, do the rear doors have a child safety lockout on those latches? It would be near the latch on the rear edge of the door. I know my Tahoe did, just not sure about Suburbans. If it does, that mechanism may have gotten stuck in limbo and is interrupting handle function. It's also possible that the lock mechanism is creating the same situation, if the handle is partially pulled when the lock actuators cycle or if the lock mechanism is just sticky it could create what you are experiencing. How do the latches look from the outside, clean/grimy/fuzzy (I've seen it)? I have good luck maintaining mine with the white lithium spray grease, the straw on there allows me to get it in the latch mechanism and on the pivots.

[special-K]

I'll have to look. It's all manual and I didn't notice a child lock or anything extra that I recall.

[special-K]

Advance Auto had a whole selection on the bottom shelf. Got my dk blue/left. Now I just need chance to put it in

[Cape Codder]

On the rear door it could be the lock isn't completely releasing. I would work the lock on and off vigorously then try it. If no luck sometimes if you put a wood wedge between the window and door you can spray the latch with lube and get a tool with a hook on the end to try to release the lock from inside the door. I have used car antenas with a hook bent on the end but a slim jim works too.

[special-K]

Great suggestions. I guess my focus has been on the driver's door since. This thing is my work truck and the second seat area is generally folded down and area is generally full of misc. stuff. So, now that the big job is done I can clear that out and crawl through to look into it.

[special-K]

Well, that 2nd door on the passenger side is fixed...kind...maybe...hopefully? I momentarily forgot it didn't open (believe me, I tried a lot and many times after that), was on that side, needed something, and just opened the door. I realized it right away, dropped what I was doing (was working on a customer's house), and went to town spraying lubricant in every crevice toward the mechanism. I pulled the panel back from the door, removed the ashtray, just juiced and worked the heck out of it before taking a big breath and closing it. It's been working fine. Very convenient having four side doors that open

[Cape Codder]

The simple pleasures of life.

[special-K]

Ah yes, those little things that make life worth living. Now, to get around to doing the inside door handles so I can get out! Yes it's true. I hang my head. I still haven't done that. We went to cut a tree yesterday and my grand daughter couldn't get out on her side, so that one's toast now, too. They only had the LH before, but I better see about getting the RH so I have both riding around on the floor.

[OutlawDrifter]

i think it's one of those things. if you used it everyday, it would be fixed immediately, but, out of sight, out of mind kind of takes over!

glad you got the second one working again!

[special-K]

I got home with some daylight left and got the driver side interior door handle installed. It's funny, now I have to get used to not having to roll the window down to reach outside to let myself out. That's pretty bad when it's broke so long that became a habit

[Ol Blue K20]

Glad it worked out. I had the same habit after I fixed my drivers side on my 97 truck

[special-K]

Funny, at first I had to break my habit of rolling the window up before I get out. I'd stop, roll the window up, then realize I need it down to let myself out. Once fixed, I'd start rolling it up when I got home, stop myself, remember it's fixed, then go ahead and roll it up

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by special-K

Funny, at first I had to break my habit of rolling the window up before I get out. I'd stop, roll the window up, then realize I need it down to let myself out. Once fixed, I'd start rolling it up when I got home, stop myself, remember it's fixed, then go ahead and roll it up

I understand believe me. It's amazing the little habits we develop and we don't even notice it

[special-K]

We humans are creatures of habit. It's rare that anyone rides in my passenger seat, but that handle has been munged-up since I bought it a year ago. I get reminded of that one when I end up with someone riding. Its not often enough that I'm in the habit of hopping out and running around to let them out immediately. I was reminded when we went for a Christmas tree and my grand daughter couldn't open it. Then again, I had to teach her how to roll the window down and that works fine! Have roll down windows become an option or are 95%+ of the people still paying extra for p/w as an "option"? I'll have to see about getting a RH inner door handle unit before next Christmas

[Ol Blue K20]

I was surprised to find that Dorman makes the assembly and that my local parts house stocks more than one of each. I put it off for a while but was amazed how easy it was to replace. I don't think you should wait to fix it...lol

[special-K]

I did get my side fixed. Now to buy the RH side and fix that. I dunno, maybe not. I'll just buy the part and lay it on the passenger side floor. If once in a blue moon when someone rides over there and complains, I'll hand them the part and tell them "Replace it if it bothers you. It's not bothering me".