From what you've said (I'm not there to see it), it sounds like
cleaning and lubrication might do the trick.

On my '85, the driver's door stuck in the closed/locked position and I
had to remove the interior door panel to reach ... clean ... and lube
it.  No parts were required.

Mike

Mark McCulley wrote:
> My passenger door latch has broken--the spring on the latching
> mechanism has ceased to work and I have to reset the mechanism
> by hand before I can shut the door. Anyone encountered and fixed
> this problem? Wondering if I have to get an entire new mechanism or
> if there is a spring that I can replace...
>
> -Mark
> 87 syncro Westfalia
> Seattle, WA
>