The door latch on the driver's side of my 87 Subaru GL suddenly quit working. Locks work, but the door from inside or out won't open. Springs seem to be working, but door won't open. I can't figure out how to get inside the door to try and fix it.....

 

Any ideas??

 

Thanks for any help!!

once you get the door panel off, it should start making sense what's wrong...

 

to get the panel off:

-pop off screw covers on elbow rest, and unscrew & remove.

-pop off plastic thing behind door handle (kinda weird the first time, after that it's quick)

-if you have electric windows, just unpop the edge of the door panel away from the door.

-If you have manual windows, find a wire and put a hook on one end. Feed that behind the window crank and pull the clip out. The crank comes off after that, and you can unsnap the door panel.

 

Once the outside of the door panel is loose, it will pull off the top edge. May have to remove the plastic triangle inside of the mirror. That just slides straight up with some persuasion.

Thanks hoozie.....

 

 

Haven't tried to fix it yet, but you're saying it is possible to remove the panel with the door shut using the method you described?

Possible,,,yes... Easy,,,,no.

Easier if you remove seat on that side. Been there, done that.

For about the last 12 years or so both rear doors on my 86 GL are impossible to open unless you first push in with your knee, then lift up the door handle really hard. At this point they will open. Maybe your door is similar. Someday I'll get around to fixing them.