[[email protected]]

Jeff, thanks for the suggestions. I'm just a little frustrated with the implementation. So I got the lower bolt removed. It doesn't actually hold the striker, it just sits below the striker, but needs to be removed because it is in the way of the top bolt, that actually holds the striker.

The nylock bolts hold onto the bolt, even though the nut has been loosened from the normal thread-jam when a bolt is tightened. The bolt and striker are hardened steel, which has been resistant to hold in place with a screwdriver wedging it. I hope that the use of a wedge to put outward pressure on the bay door will help hold it, along with the screwdriver. I'm not trusting it. Time for another special tool. I'm gonna have a 3/16" hex key welded at 90° to a strip of metal that is about 1/2" wide. Then I'll trim it down so it only protrudes about 3/16". I'll slip this tool into the bolt's keyway to hold it during nut removal. I need to do this because the latch covers the head of the bolt. Fun, eh?

---

Jack,

The latches are electrically operated. The release cable hangs down and is lengthened to extend beyond the door bottom so as to provide a not too obvious emergency release  cable.

The problem is that when my latch electrically failed, the mechanical safety release did too.

I can imagine this is a frustrating job, I know how it is. Just working down here this time of year makes things difficult, 95-97 degrees with 100% humidity will bother just about anyone. Hope it’s at least a little cooler where you are. 

Maybe once you get your Allen tool made and in the head then wedge a screwdriver behind it to keep it in place, that is if there’s room. I imagine the head of that bolt is not far from the latch. Hard to visualize what kind of space you are working in… but I know I have been in some tight spots and it can get frustrating when you can just barely reach something. Take breaks and I am sure you will get there slowly but surely. Is it just one of the latches, or are both of them stuck? Hope it’s only one of them!