914 Doors Stuck Shut (Not the normal way)

[10degnorth]

Just picked up a 73 914 project car... and currently trying to get the doors open. I was able to force the window down and get the Targa top without breaking anything and now have the door panels off.

Neither the outer nor inner door handles will work to actuate the latch. I can see parts moving but am not familiar enough with these latches to know if there is something I can hit or trigger from inside the door to release them. The plastic piece that usually breaks on the outer handles is in tact.

Any tips or ideas for either triggering the latches with access to the back of them or for removing the latches/doors? I will even accept some minimally destructive ideas for getting the doors open.

Thanks!
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1973 Porsche 914 (Project) HELP!

1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Daily): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[[email protected]]

the catching mechanisms are probably dirty and not releasing the latch. Since you have the door panels off, spray the latching mechanism from the inside and then work the release rod that goes to the interior door latch

[10degnorth]

The pivot for the "claw" on the latch was pretty seized up. The latch mechanism was working just the pivot was stuck. I used a soft hammer on the inside of the door with the door panel taken off and the claw was able to rotate so the door could open. After soaking in cleaner and vinegar I was able to get one of them unstuck and lubed up. A good friend of mine worked on the other one that I couldn't get open, he used melted ski wax and heat to free it up. I was surprised by how good the wax trick worked.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 (Project) HELP!

1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Daily): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7