Hi yall

Got an 85 Astro that I am redoing. Got a problem though with the rear cargo door on the driver side. The latch inside the door has broken and I can't figure out how to get the closed door open so that I can get inside and replace the latch system.

Any ideas?

 

Another question.

Wanting to flush out the block best possible and the book states there is a coolant system drain on the block somewhere.

Any guess?

 

Hi Vee,
I had the same problem with my astro last year. What I did was drill out the latch from outside the van. The heads are rounded and once you drill them you will be able to open the door and replace the handle. I found a brand new handle on ebay for a fraction of chevys price. Good luck!
John+

 

Don't get your hope up GM won't fix it mine broke also on a $50,000 dollar 2004, we bought brand new. They say it is abuse. The window is to heavy for the glue. My son-in-law is going to fix mine with some type of glue. THEN I am getting rid of it. I will never buy from GM again.

 

You might try removing the door panel from the inside, and reach in and unlatch the door. I did this on the upper door of the "dutch door" model and it worked. Might be worth a shot before drilling.


Oh, and mee too. Never a Chevy again.

 

I did the same with the removing the panel from the inside.
I found that a plastic sheath failed and the rod that goes into the actuator came out.

I never could figure how to keep it in there permanently. But it beats drilling it out.

Provided we are talking about the top door hatch.