So my 06 SS decided the driver side door no longer wants to open. I pulled the door handle cup on the inside and the lever mechanism is still attached, so it's clearly a latch problem. My problem is I can't get the door panel off from the inside of the door, and the handle on the outside does nothing. How can I get this thing open w/out butchering the door panel? If I have to cut it up, so be it. I just know I'm not crawling over the passenger seat for the rest of eternity to get in my car! Any suggestions, or has anyone had this happen?

 

There is a trick of some sort i forget. Think its on youtube. See if you can get it in a warmer place if its cold by you, my door sometimes wont open or close when its too cold

Main thing though, next time you get it open take off the panel and lube the living **** out of everything

 

Pull off the plastic triangle piece where your tweeter is and remove that, next theres two screws under the little access panel under that small cubby by where the window controls are. The panel should pop right off with a little bit of force, i usually start pulling at the top right where your tweeter cover was and run my hand around the bottom until the whole panel pops out. Careful of the wiring for your window switches.

Edit: **** this is gonna be hard since you cant open the door haha

 

Bingo, the interior panel wasn't coming off without some serious breakage. So I did what any angry man would do, got inside and beat the door open. Leaned back against the pass door and shoved with my feet while pulling the handle. It was like playing the Chevy version of twister.

The lock mechanism is screwed! I can't even get the latch finger thingy to go back up where it's supposed to be. I sprayed some PB blaster followed by a pound of lithium grease but it didn't help. Looks like the latch assembly needs replaced because the door won't even close now. And I'd bet good money that I don't have the right torx head to remove the latch. Annoyances like this really yank my crank sideways! I hate taking it to a dealer but if I get cranky enough I may just do that. Ain't nobody got time for a ghetto door!

 

you can buy a set of torx bits at home depot for about $15

 

Good to know! I shall stop in tonight. AutoZone wanted way more for their set, which didn't even have anything above the 25-30 size. I think the door is a torx 40. Eventually I need to get a set since it looks like I'll own my SS pile for many more years yet. The drivetrain in these things is top notch. I've put 175k on everything, still have the original clutch even. But the little quirks can be annoying!

 

why not just get a little net on your window like the nascars and jump in through the window?

 

I'd rather weld it shut and dukes of hazard it.

I managed to get it working... for now! I'll just keep going until it breaks again and replace it then. Cheapest I found the latch mechanism for was $70ish on rockauto and gmpartsdirect.com. Kinda pricey considering you could probably buy an entire door for $75-100 at a junk yard!

 

The home depot set is T9-T55. I had to buy it last weekend because I had a door emergency in my truck last and my work is an hour away. (that's where all my tools are)

 

Try this yet?

 

I thought of doing that, but my 6'3.5", 265# self would get stuck in the door & need the Jaws of Life to get out! ROTFLMMFAO!!!!!