The driver's side door on my 96 Dodge Ram has a crack in it running right along where the 3 bolts are that go to the door latch mechanism. Well, Apparently the crack got worse and ended up shiftying the mechanism, causing the door to not shut.
So I slammed the door trying to get it to shut and it caused the door latch mechanism to apparently freeze in the closed or latches position, but with the door open.
I have sprayed it with WD-40 and PB Blaster, etc., but I can't get it to unlatch. Can I somehow force it to unlatch with a prybar? I looked at it but I'm not entirely sure where I would pry to force it.
I might need to take it out and work on it ont he workbench. Does anyone know how hard it is to take out? I haven't had to take out the door trim or anything else on the door before.
Or, maybe i should just get a new door. I would like to fix this latch and just MIG weld the crack, but if that's not possible can't I use a door from a 94 to 98? What do you think it might go for from a salvage yard, not a perfect door just a decent one?
Any help is appreciated. I can't leave anything in the truck because it's obvious the door is cracked open and one could rifle through my truck without difficulty.