Force Open a Stuck car door to get Access to Repair

I fixed a car door on a 2006 Toyota Matrix, but this method should work for many other cars. From the comments we learned it didn't work for a Ford Focus and a 1996 Camry. I couldn't open the door from the inside or the outside so I couldn't get the interior panel off to get access to fix. In this car the door needs to be open to remove the interior door panel as the perimeter of the panel is secured by the closed door. All the videos I found on YouTube started repairs with an open door and access. I literally tried everything else. I bought a endo scope to look inside the door and also used a utility knife to cut out a piece of the interior panel to get some access. When done I made a fiberglass repair to fix the panel that I cut. However, if you just follow what I did on this video you would not need to cut open your door panel or repair it! Hope this video saves other people's time and frustration. I did learn from a comment that it didn't work on a Ford Focus, so please share if it works or doesn't work for your particular car.

Here is link for the air wedges I used. If you use this link, it will support my channel with no increase cost to you:
https://amzn.to/3VgwsSc

Here is the replacement mechanism that I purchased for under $50
https://amzn.to/3wPNJaB

Here is one of many good videos on how to replace the lock assembly once the door is open!
   • Car Door Lock Actuator Repair/Replace...