Hey every one! I did a search and nothing came up, so new post it is.

The issue I'm having is that my rear passenger door doesn't open. My guess its either a stuck lock actuator or even maybe the rods came loose.

Anyways, how do I remove the door panel? I bought the 77 "All Series" factory shop manual and it has nothing about doors in it, which I don't understand. My interior is really nice and I didn't want to go tearing it apart so I figured I'd ask the experts!

Any help would be appreciated!

 

I'm going to have to go on memory for this because it's been awhile since I worked on a 77. IIRC the door panels you are talking about are basically 2 piece construction plastic/upper cover stapled together. Take your time to do this job, because if you break anything it's darn hard to find replacement parts

Since the door won't open the trim windlace around the lower door gets in the way for prying off the door panel.
1. unscrew the door lock plastic ***** and remove the window cranks.
2. unscrew the door handle trim screws. I believe there are only 2 of them. Take off the armrest pad and check for any other screws - occasionally GM would hide extra fastener screws where they weren't easy to see. You won't be able to take off the PDL trim from the front - it's held on the back of the panel. Same for PW's BTW
3. gentle pull the interior windlace from around one of the lower sections of the door. If you have a hard time starting it, roll down the window and start up high, work down.
4. when the edge of the lower door panel is visible, use a trim tool to reach behind the plastic fastener and pop it forward. You may run into some clearance tight areas where the rear seat is. If you break a fastener, they can be replaced.
5. pop all the fasteners out and wiggle the trim up (over the handle and door lock ferule)

This should give you access to the locking mechanism. You will still have to take off the inner water shields. On 77 I think they started going to clear plastic secured with black goop.

Chances are the plastic guide that holds your locking rod is cracked/broken or the rod has come out. If that all looks good, take out the 3 bolts on the lower front of the door where the actuator is bolted on. Undo the electrical connection and the pushrod connection. Bench test the actuator, the solenoid may have weakened to the stage it won't function. If so, replace the actuator. If you don't want to buy new, check the local boneyard for parts. Note: Check return policy before you buy..

Take pics as you go and post them for us. It adds to the inventory of stored knowledge here on the site. Good luck getting it fixed.