[Pecosbill]

Hi, guys. The trunk lock on my 64 convertible started getting harder to turn and I put that on my “gonna get to that” todo list. Well now you can insert the key and turn it but the trunk lock won’t release. I’ve tried it and tried it and nothing happens. I’m guessing that the flat rod that turns the release mechanism has possibly broken. Question is, how do I get into the trunk to fix it? On the convertible the well covering snaps off but I don’t think it provides enough room for me to wiggle into the trunk from the well. I really hate the idea of drilling this lock out, but I don’t know what else to try. Any suggestions?

[burd]

Try some lube

[Pecosbill]

Like WD40?

[Goatracer1]

Long extensions, socket and rachet. I remove the back seat and remove the bolts holding the latch. Open trunk with latch attached.

[burd]

I had a AMC once, door lock was frozen. Shot that graphite lube in, lock eye, took a week and it was working fine again.

[VCho455]

Originally Posted by Goatracer1

Long extensions, socket and rachet. I remove the back seat and remove the bolts holding the latch. Open trunk with latch attached.

Yep I did this with my 69. Some electrical tape to keep the extentions together can help.

[bbnotop]

I had a similar thing happen on my '64. Kept turning the key and juggling the trunk lid, basically pushing down and letting up on the lid. At one point it popped open. Adjusted the latch and problem solved. Good luck.

[burd]

This is what used a few times.

[Rachelsdad]

Like bbnotop described, my '63 requires a regular downward push to release the latch. If the car is parked at an angle, sometimes this us not necessary. (In my case, I attribute the need to the lack of my rear body mounts, which - like Elvis - left the building many years ago. I"m hoping that when my new trunk pans go in and we do the body mounts, I won't have to do that anymore.)

Anyway, the gradual "stiffening" could have been the latch moving out of alignment. Turning the key in this case does nothing and feels like the lock is broken, when in fact it's just the latch not moving. Lube will help, but alignment of the latch is probably more important.

Good luck!

[Pecosbill]

Originally Posted by Goatracer1

Long extensions, socket and rachet. I remove the back seat and remove the bolts holding the latch. Open trunk with latch attached.

Originally Posted by burd

This is what used a few times.

Originally Posted by Rachelsdad

Like bbnotop described, my '63 requires a regular downward push to release the latch. If the car is parked at an angle, sometimes this us not necessary. (In my case, I attribute the need to the lack of my rear body mounts, which - like Elvis - left the building many years ago. I"m hoping that when my new trunk pans go in and we do the body mounts, I won't have to do that anymore.)

Anyway, the gradual "stiffening" could have been the latch moving out of alignment. Turning the key in this case does nothing and feels like the lock is broken, when in fact it's just the latch not moving. Lube will help, but alignment of the latch is probably more important.

Good luck!

Being a convertible I think this may be easier than it would be otherwise because I can remove the well covering and be a lot closer to the trunk latch. I won’t be able to address it until after Christmas or I risk being labeled a Super-Grinch.

The lock lube is a must also. Tricky part is getting everything aligned before I close it again. It’s been fine for years but for some reason decided it was time to cause a little trouble.

I’ve tried working the key back and forth while push and pulling on the deck lid but it hasn’t budged. I even sat on it while working the key.

Thank you all for the replies. I’ll keep you posted. Merry Christmas everyone!

[Pecosbill]

Well, I removed the well covering from under the rear window and I could see clearly into the trunk. I had some boxes with parts in them, fortunately light weight ones, that were inside the trunk and were in the way of seeing the latch. I was able to stretch into the trunk just far enough to remove all of the boxes and then had a pretty clear shot at the latch. I see the bolts holding the square latch clasp in place and also the bolts holding the latch itself. I also see the round fitting where the rod from the lock mechanism fits which then turns the latch, although it is a bit obscured by the fact that when I restored this car I added one of the reel out trunk lights. The light prevents me from having a direct head-on shot at the rod-fitting, but I can get to it from the side. If I could get a flat blade screwdriver on that I may be able to turn it and pop the lid.

I’m a fairly big guy and the idea of trying to crawl into the trunk to get to the latch kinda gives me the claustrophobia-willies Plus at my age I’m just not sure I’m “pliable” enough and I may not get out once I get in, especially if the deck lid doesn’t pop open. I think my solution is going to be to order some extra long ratchet extension rods from Amazon and see if I can get the latch clasp bolts off, as Goatracer1 suggested. That seems like the easiest way out. But having a clear shot at it after removing the well covering makes me thank the Good Lord that it’s a convertible!

[1_Wild_Cat]

Hey Pecos -- Having once locked myself in the trunk of my '64...I can confirm turning a flat blade screwdriver in the center area should pop the mechanism (if nothing else is hung up).

[TXSTARFIRE]

Send a kid in there to take care of it!

[Pecosbill]

Originally Posted by TXSTARFIRE

Send a kid in there to take care of it!

Hahaha, that was my first thought, actually!

[Pecosbill]

So, I purchased a 36” ratchet extension and tried to get the latch to turn by attaching a screwdriver to the end of the extension, but no dice. I couldn’t see inside well enough to get a socket on the trunk latch clasp so I removed the back seat to give me more room. I still wasn’t able to climb in there but I did have more room to lean in further.

I then found out that the bolts holding the clasp on are 7/16”, not the 1/2” I had guessed. I was able to get a 7/16” socket on the two bolts and unscrewed them to where the clasp fell down into the trunk. So, I figured I was almost home and went outside the car and tried to lift the deck lid but no dice!! What the heck?? There shouldn’t be any hardware holding it since the latch was no longer connected to anything.

I got on one side of the back of the deck lid and got my fingers from both hands under the lip of the deck lid and tried to pull it open. No movement. I then, with my back facing the deck lid, got my fingers up under the deck lid edge and I then pushed upward with my legs. I felt it give a bit! I did that again then moved to the other side and did it there. Finally the lid gave way and opened up. Hooray!

But what did I find was holding it shut? It was the gasket around the edge of the trunk. It had deteriorated (even though it was brand new when I finished restoring the car about 12 years ago and was stuck fast to both the body and the deck lid. So much for that quality part! See the pics.

Anyway, thank you all for your help with this. It was perplexing, to say the least.

[1_Wild_Cat]

Wow. That’s a new one - glued shut by the weather stripping. Glad you got it open.

[Pecosbill]

I’ve never heard of such. Something happened to this weatherstrip chemically that caused it to adhere to the deck lid. And it was such a tight bonding that it withstood all attempts to open it until I used my legs to push upward as hard as I could while gripping the edge of the deck lid with my fingers. And even at that it didn’t give way right away. I had to press upward for a bit until the “seal” finally gave way. Now for the cleanup and installation of a new gasket.

[burd]

Pays to silicone your seals.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 1_Wild_Cat

Wow. That’s a new one - glued shut by the weather stripping. Glad you got it open.

I'm going to second this one.

Can you recall the brand of trunk weather strip that you used?
(just curious)

[Shiny]

Glad you were able to open the trunk without damage. Hopefully you can remove the mess. Must have been very frustrating to go through all that.

Inquiring minds want to know...

Any chance you recall the brand?

Nobody wants that.

I'm surprised by the amount of degradation without any UV exposure.