StoogeMoe

My outside door latch is really hard to squeeze when it’s cold outside. This is on an early car. I guess i have to get to the inside of the door. What needs lubing? I’ve never taken the door apart.

goblues38

the nylon ball joints are most likely worn out, need to replace the linkage

Gage

Remove the phillips pan head screw from the rear door edge, just behind the handle. Bump the handle forward and pull the rear section of the door handle out and away from the door skin. This will expose the bulk of the mechanism that is gummed up. WD works well to clean the pivot and sliding points then just add your favorite lubricant.

931guru

https://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/body-12.htm

Lube the door handle before you break it, the cost is much higher to replace a broken handle.

StoogeMoe

Thanks for the link. I couldn’t find it before.

I was able to pull the handle far enough out where I could spray brake cleaner on the gooey mechanism and linkage. Then followed up by spraying in there with silicone based garage door opener. It now works great!