Getting 31 Coupe doors to stay closed !!

[jerbo]

Does anyone know how to make doors stay closed ?

I have a problem with getting the striker adjusted so it will hold my doors closed. I put the striker to the maximum facing toward outside, but it wont catch the latch 'tongue' or stay shut.

The latch springs are all good and the mechanism works correctly.
Although the doors fit perfectly, good alignment and all of that, something is either wrong with the striker adjustment or the latch.

After closing i can just easily pull the door open as if there was no latch What is the problem here ??.

Any good advice appreciated.
Tks, Jerbo

[CWPASADENA]

May be the strikers are worn out and the latch is just barely catching it. The Latch "tongue" could also be badly worn.

Also, the gap between the door and the door striker post may be too wide which could be caused by bent hinges or ?.

More information and pictures would help.

Chris W.

[bobbader]

If the top edges of the strikers are worn to where it looks like the cutting edge of a chisel (or worse, like a knife blade) they need to be replaced. The edge of the striker that holds the latch "flapper" should be just shy of 1/8" thick and with a slight round or flat tip .................. not in any way looking like a "blade". The edge of the latch "flapper" is usually also worn, not to mention the pin that holds that piece into the latch assembly. These all add up to the situation you have.

[ArtimusGordon]

If ALL components are new originals and reproductions are quality THEN I had to SHIM out the striker plate. My door now stays shut when pushing on it! ��

[KenBolton]

I second Artimus!

[john in illinois]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The body flexes normally. You need to adjust or modify the latches so they engage more than the flexing. They will stay closed then. As mentioned rebuild all parts to original quality.

John

[Bob from Northport]

What Artimus said!!

[31Tudor]

Just a thought, some of the reproduction door bumpers are not the proper thickness or shape on the top of the door, and the bottom of the door. They can be hitting first and not allowing it to close the rest of the way.

[nick c]

Try all of the above suggestions. Had the same problem with my 29 ccpu door. Tried moving the striker, nothing worked. Then I placed a 1/16" thick shim under the outer most part of the striker and it worked. Never had another problem with door popping open.

[Tinbasher]

Also check and make sure the door latch is in the middle of the striker top to bottom. Sometimes if the door isn't lined up properly (it's too low) the latch will not lock properly and open. Between this and all of the other ideas you should have it fixed!!