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MG MGB Technical - 1979 MGB door stuck shut

I recently bought a 79 MGB to restore.

The driver's door is stuck shut. I cannot get the catch to move at all.

Do you have any advice short of cutting the door in half and replacing?

Thanks
Ed Martin
Ed Martin

Can you get the trim panel off to investigate the linkages? However the external button and the internal lever work on separate parts of the latch so if neither work either the latch itself has failed or for some reason the latch and striker-plate are jammed together in some way.

I'd be wondering about the possibilities of drilling/cutting thorough the part of the striker plate that the latch fork engages with, maybe by bending the seal flange back.

It doesn't look like the anti-burst plate could cause this.
paulh4

How much of a gap is there between the trailing edge of the door and the B-post?
Dave O'Neill 2

I suggest removing the Phillips screws at the hinges and wiggling it loose. Be sure you have the proper Phillips driver so as not to strip the Phillips heads.
Glenn Mallory

The anti-burst latch hooks over the bar in the striker plate when the door is fully closed, to stop the door coming open in an impact. Open on the left, half closed middle, fully closed right.

Besides which the arms of the hinges that slide into the pockets on the doors have to come out of the door and the hinges are recessed into the A-pillars by several inches.

Unless I have completely misunderstood.




paulh4

If the rear top door gap is tight try putting a trolley jack under the centre crossmember- may have sagged if cills rusty.

R.
richard b

That's a point, we don't know what the situation is with the external button or the door handle i.e. do they move or not - it could be open! Giving the door by the latch a kick from the inside might be enough.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2023 and 24/10/2023

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