help: Trunk won't open

G

grouchyandugly

Member
1941 Merc Sedan. the Trunk was opening and closing fairly "easy", and then a neighbor SLAMMED the Trunk shut.... now I cannot get the dirtyword Trunk lid to open. the Trunk Handle moves, have unlocked and locked it, but it is stuck solid. will I have to take the rear seats out and go in that way to get it open?? (I am 77 and remember doing that to some old cars wayyyyyy back yonder). or is there another way?? and nope, I did not shoot my neighbor.... he was gone when I came back out loaded... hee hee…. stay safe. thanks
 
Almost sounds like he slammed the trunk hard enough to break something in the latch and the striker has fallen down and the catch can't retract.
 
Yes, you are going to pretend your 25 again. Nice neighbor! Doesn't he know you never slam doors and trunks closed?
 
If you could get a pry in between the body and lid at the bottom near the lock area .Lightly pry at the same time use the flat of your hand a tap the lid try the outer rear corners as well as along the bottom ,remember use the complete flat of your hand and a light pry don't go bending the metal of the lid.
 
Try slipping a putty knife under the lid in the area of the latch and push upward. If that doesn't work then pulling the rear seat is your only option. Be sure you take a flashlight with you and a good screwdriver to pry up the latch.
 
If it does come to removing the seat back and crawling into the trunk, get some help from a younger relative/neighbours kid with permission.

Mart.
 
Neighbor probably owns G M cars....must slam doors, hood, trunk or they won't latch.................l o l
 
I would use one of the plastic pry bar type tools available. They are not expensive and I’m sure are available in most stores.
Have your neighbor go pick you up a set :)
 
Maybe you might be able o put some pressure In on the area of the latch and then try to move the Handle.. The latch might be caught on a lip or inside edge of trunk . Just a suggestion. Also if you had a second person V8 person They might hitting the latch area with a piece of 2x4 wrapped with several layers of a Towel or soft cloth as you try to open it.. Good luck !!
 
Until you find the mettle to crawl through behind the seat. Try to find a parking lot with speed bumps. Keep it at about 25-30 mph. :p Might use up some of that adrenaline you've saved for the neighbor. Might jostle the lid skyward. I used to have a '53 the trunk was like a vault.

If or when you do the crawl, think about tight clothing. I like Mart's idea of a smaller and more flexible person. At the very least have some one there in case you need rescued.

I wish my wife would let me come by to help you. Anymore she gets edgy letting me go to the store alone.:D
 
Bring the car here to SoCal and park it in the Home Depot parking lot and then go shopping. When you come out the trunk will probably be open. Its happened to me twice.
 
got side-tracked today. will (maybe) try tomorrow after I find/buy those plastic prying bars. no hurry, it is not tagged as yet. stay safe. thanks
 
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