proper door latch and stricker adjustment? other models use same latch?

[GMichaels]

I will order the service manual Monday, but until then I need some help in the proper method for the door latch adjustment.



With the door closed, should the door latch be supporting the door on the pin? Taking some of the weight off the hinges, makes sense, as when going over bumps that a lot of weight on the hinges.



I need to replace both door latches, I have done a search and found a post which states these latches were used on many different vehicles, like mini vans. I would like conformation on this and maybe specific model and model years, so when I search the bone yards I can be specific. I can see in the past 3 years the hinges have gone up from 25. 00 for one to todays price of 75. 00 ( I called the dealer) but I think the pin kit from NAPA will fix that problem. I will calll the dealer on monday but assume the latches will be welll above 100. 00ea.



Thanks for the help. Greg





1993 5spdget 3:54 extcab

 

[Paychk]

Greg



Go to any bone yard and they can run an interchange list for you. This will show all the vehicles that use the same latch as our trucks. As far as the latch adjustment goes, the manual says to adjust until the door is flush to the body. I would guess from what wasn't said that the latch shouldn't support the door weight, just the hinges.

 

[Philip]

The latch assy shouldn't support the door.



Check you hinge bushings also. To check them pickup on the outer end of the door. If it picks up. Replace the bushings. NAPA has pins and bushings in stock most of the time.

 

[JKurley]

HELP end rack at most autoparts stores #3818, hinge pins and bushings. Mydriver side door is the only one that needed help, but I needed my son to help align it when done. Feels like a new truck- doors slam tight, but still not airtight ( the bad part of the DODGE Cummins!)

 

[Philip]

Is the door sheet metal level with the outer body panels when closed? This is both front and back edge of the door.



If it isn't move the catch pin in towards the weather striping. For the outside edge of the door. If it isn't on the hinge side. Move the door ( inward) on the hinge mounts.



If the air leaks are on the upper part of the door. Bend the upper frame in some. To do this block the door ( with a 2x4 on the upper hinge) in a partial open position and push in hard on the upper half of the door. (make sure the window is down when you do this). Some times you have to bend the door some to get a better fit.

Ask Case500D. I just did pins and bushings on his 92 a while back. We had to bend his upper frame some to get a better seal.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Bend the Upper Door Frame

Well I suspect that some of you are thinking that this is a crock. Well it isn't. Body shop folks use that and other force methods to make the doors fit the frame better. A word of caution however, go easy with this. The parts will yield in the wrong place if you aren't careful, and can bend too much.



About the hinges. If you look at the upper hinge you will see that the pin is supported with a much greater bushing area than the lower. If you went to the trouble to take the lower hinge off and weld in a tube so that the pin had more support like the upper one and drilled both for a grease fitting, you would eliminate the hinge problem forever. I have NOT done this on the dodge but I have done it on a ford. (I have a 70 model Ford that I COULD still use).



The hinges and not the latch are supposed to support the door. I have replaced the striker pins on the high milage 93 and found that if I have a tad of load on the pins, the door doesn't rattle as much. I also had them too tight at first. (Below flush at the back edge. ) No doubt I need new welting around the door. My latches are doing fine with only cleaning and re-lubing.



1stgen4evr

James