1988 Astro Van rear door
Question:
My Astro Van rear door is hard to open. (the one on the left side looking from the rear outside) More so, lately. It always has been a push pull operation. (Pulling on the handle while pushing on the door) If I take the panel off, and inspect the linkage or mechanism, what shall I look for? Thanks. Perry bentcajungirl
Response:
Your orientation is ambiguous. Left and right on a car is ALWAYS from the perspective of a driver sitting behind the steering wheel. That said, it probably doesn’t make much difference which door. Before removing a panel try cleaning accumulated grease and dirt from the latches, then spray them with a bit of "white grease" (Comes in an aerosol can with a plastic tube.) Do the same for the hinges, too. You may be surprised how this treatment can loosen things up. Look for a striker out of adjustment or a hinge sagging allowing the door to rub the sill. Finally, if still necessary, pull the door panels and look for something in the linkage binding. Myron E. Williams – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Astro Van rear door is hard to open. (the one on the left side looking > from the rear outside) More so, lately. It always has been a push pull > operation. (Pulling on the handle while pushing on the door) If I take the > panel off, and inspect the linkage or mechanism, what shall I look for? > Thanks. > Perry > bentcajungirl
Response:
> My Astro Van rear door is hard to open. (the one on the left side looking > from the rear outside) More so, lately. It always has been a push pull > operation. (Pulling on the handle while pushing on the door) If I take the > panel off, and inspect the linkage or mechanism, what shall I look for? > Thanks. > Perry > bentcajungirl
I had this same problem on my 87 GMC Safari. I let it persist until the door finally wouldn’t open. I had the exact same symptoms you describe (pushing on the door to open it). What eventually happened was that the door handle broke. Specifically it was the tab that lifts the latch rod that unlatches the latch on the door. I had to cut open the inside panel and manually pull the rod to unlatch the door to get it open and then remove and replace the door latch mechanism. GM has redesigned all of the door handles for the Safari/Astro. I’ve replaced two of them so far because the cheap pot metal handles broke. The new ones work much better. — -Toby Hanson Leader, Smilin’ Scandinavians Polka Band "Ask me about our new ‘Frequent Schottische’ program!"
