I just completed THE MOST CHALLENGING car repair I have ever done.

I took apart the driver's door FROM THE INSIDE, IN THE SUN, on a 100-plus degree day. It wasn't all that technically challenging but it was physically brutal in the heat, small space and totally obnoxious conditions.

I went to see "Inception" at a midnight show (good movie) and while I was inside, someone tried to break into my car. They totally jacked the driver's locking assembly and the plunger assembly. I couldn't use the key, as the plunger was broken and snapped, thus when the lock tried to push the plunger up, it jammed against the housing and wouldn't budge. I'm not going to put up with getting in through the passenger side for more than a day.

It's completely harrowing removing the panel with the door closed. There's no good way to do it and your fingers are crossed you don't trash the panel itself the entire time because a LOT of creative pulling is required.

I'm going to take the opportunity to lubricate all the locks, hinges and closures.

It took a good half hour but I got it free enough to get at the plunger and at least get the door open (and the vacuum engaged so the trunk wouldn't be key-dependent until it's all fixed). So in an emergency, just know that you CAN do the door panel, or at least a lot of it, from the inside.

Just don't make me do it ever again.

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1980 300SD 220,xxx
somewhere, nc