SPO 1862: Stiff Door Latch

[Steve Cassani]

The door latch on the passenger side is stiff; too stiff to allow the door to open without both holding the latch open and lifting on the door to free it. What can I adjust to get a better fit between the latching mechanism and it's counterpart on the door?

[HotRodJoe]

Steve,

On SPF1609, I had to take one washer/shim out of the jam side to make it close and open easier. It was sticking out too far and the door side was hitting it.

Joe

[Steve Cassani]

Thanks, Joe. I'll look for the shims...

[Pelao]

Steve,

We had the same problem with SP01870, driver's side. Pulling out one washer solved the problem.

Andrés

[Zoom This]

'Had the same problem with 1735. Fussed with shims and thicknesses before settling on a good closure. Make sure you use ample white grease on the mating parts too. Once it's right, it's right for life.

[Steve Cassani]

Removing one washer from the door jam catch did the trick. The latch works perfectly! Interestingly, the driver's side door has two washers, the passenger's side now has three.

Thanks for your help.

[Mr.Fixit]

Once it is right, it stays right until somebody else pushes down on the top of the opened door, then it is adjustement time all over again. You gotts prevent people from using the top of the opened door as a load bearing surface while they slip in and out of the car.

[Steve Cassani]

I'll watch for that. Thank you!