How do you remove the door striker plate on a 55 ford f100. My door dosnt close all the way. There is a section that wont close near the door handle side.

Jerry

 

354488-S8 .. Striker Plate Philips Head Screw & Washer Assy ~ 5/16" -24 x 1 1/4" long.

1953/55 all trucks.

 

An impact driver (old school screw driver that is meant to be struck with a mallet) works like a charm.

 

Cool very cool. I was thinking special tool to take off striker plate. a little pb blaster and i will try the screw driver hammer trick.

thanks

Jerry

 

Why Ford ever used a Phillips drive screw in that application I'll never know. A bear to remove (or loosen so you can move the striker ) and hard to tighten back up so the striker WON'T move. I always replace them with flathead Allen screws.

 

Use the impact tool to loosen them. It is availabe at most tool houses. U probably have damage in the hinge area that needs addressing. Loosening and moving ever so slightly may help the allignment of the door to the striker plate.

 

Used car dealers trick to fix sagging doors: Park vehicle on hard level ground, concrete works best. Place a 2 x 4 on ground, then to door sill. Close door till it just touches the wood, then give it a gentle push.

Repeat until door properly aligned, then make sure hinge bolt are tight. Do NOT mess with the hinge bolts beforehand!