The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1954 "BURB" door latch removal

The door latch on my 1954 Chevy Suburban is shot. I have a new replacement,but I,m stumped on removal and install. After removing door panel I see the 3 screws that need to be removed to take old latch out. However there is a window track running down the door that blocks the removal of the latch. Not sure how to remove that track or get the latch out past it. Any hints or ideas on how to resolve this? Thanks for reading...

Welcome to Stovebolt.com

Do you have two rear doors (side-by-side "barn doors"), or two end-gates ("clam-shell", upper and lower doors)?

Where do you live in NY? I am near Albany.

I have the barn-side doors in the rear. However my question pertains to the driver side front door. I cant get latch out past window channel. I live in Wappinger Falls 5 miles south of Poughkeepsie..

Moved from the Panel/Suburban/Canopy Forum

You will get more "readership" and responses here.

Having just finished installing new door glass on my '52 Carryall, I know a thing or two about this procedure. First, I am assuming you are referring to the driver/passenger door.

If so, here goes:

To remove the door latch, there are several steps:
1. You have to remove the weatherstrip that runs up around the back edge of the window, as well as up at the top of the window opening. The weatherstrip may be glued in or screwed in depending on hour installation. The window track on the back edge of the window attaches to the door with a small screw at the top, two screws that are visible on the trailing edge of the door. There is also a small clip on the window track that secures the bottom of the weatherstrip.
2. At this point, you should be able to remove the door latch with the 3 clutch head screws on the outside of the door.

I have actually removed the door latch but have lots of recent *yesterday* experience installing and removing the weatherstrip.

my 2 cents

Thanks for reply. I ended up cutting a 4" by 4" square in the lower part of the door frame. This allowed me to slide the old latch down past window channel and install the new one the same way. Hole is covered by door panel.