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1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Door Latch?

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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 02:31 PM
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firsttofight11b's Avatar
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Door Latch?

Hello All,

I recently bought my grandpa's 66 f250. It's in great shape and he had done a lot of work to it. Sat in his garage for the last 20 years or so. Since winter has set in here the driver's door stopped latching. It won't come open, but pops out when closed and doesn't stay closed all the way. Initially, the door handle button on the outside did not want to come out. I read several different threads here that all said to spray it down with WD. Tried that, now the button moves freely, but door still does not remain shut. The sprocket seems solid and doesn't seem to move freely. What do you guys think needs replaced? Will I have to pull the door panel? I don't really want to as my grandpa redid them and I don't want to mess them up.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 02:40 PM
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Double-check to be sure the "star" wheel on the latch doesn't turn clockwise unless the door button is pressed in. It should only turn (and click-click) in one direction. If that's not the case you may need to pull the panel and adjust the push-button actuator. If the "star" wheel checks out, you should be able to adjust the striker, moving it in or out so that the latch clicks twice upon closing the door. Close the door slowly and listen for the striker to engage the latch and click. That should clue you in to whether you need to move it in or out. Vertical adjustment should be that it engages the "star" without lifting our depressing the door. Good luck....nice truck!
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 04:16 PM
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My 1st response is to lube the moving parts inside.


John
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 10:18 PM
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See this ebay picture? Notice the plastic piece by the spring? This piece cracks and or breaks. This is most likely your culprit.
By a new one, actually buy one for each side.
If yours is not cracked or broke, spray some white lithium grease on it and work it in and out for a bit.
Take off your inner door panels and spray some "White lithium grease" on all mechanisms inside door.
You'll be surprised at how your door will respond to this.
Ford Pickup Truck Door Striker Plate - Left - F100 Thru F900 | eBay
 
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by gangstakr
See this ebay picture? Notice the plastic piece by the spring? This piece cracks and or breaks. This is most likely your culprit.
By a new one, actually buy one for each side.
If yours is not cracked or broke, spray some white lithium grease on it and work it in and out for a bit.
Take off your inner door panels and spray some "White lithium grease" on all mechanisms inside door.
You'll be surprised at how your door will respond to this.
Ford Pickup Truck Door Striker Plate - Left - F100 Thru F900 | eBay
Gangstak - Check your link. All I see is bidding info. Just a heads up
 
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Old Dec 15, 2016 | 11:06 PM
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Here is the pic from the aforementioned item up for bid



....and as Robert mentioned, if the spring loaded portion of the striker plate is functioning as it should, the problem is either worn parts in the latch assembly inside the door, or the latch is all "gummed up" with all the dried up lubricants that have been applied over the last fifty years.
I've had pretty good luck in the past with gummed up latches by removing the latch assemblies, soaking/cleaning them in a can of laquer thinner, then re-lubricating them before reintallation.
But this will only solve the problem if the root cause is not excessive wear.

James
 
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 03:45 PM
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The star wheel does not spin unless the door button is pressed in. Th striker also does not appear to be cracked and moves freely. How exactly do I adjust the striker? Is it possible that the star wheel is misaligned and is not latching on the second strike plate? Thanks for all the replies!
 
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by firsttofight11b
The star wheel does not spin unless the door button is pressed in. Th striker also does not appear to be cracked and moves freely. How exactly do I adjust the striker? Is it possible that the star wheel is misaligned and is not latching on the second strike plate? Thanks for all the replies!
I was 11B1P. Welcome to FTE!

You adjust the striker by loosening the 3 bolts that attach it to the door jamb. That allows up/down, left/right and slight rotational movement. If those screws have never been broken loose before they can be a bear. Make sure you use a nice good #4 phillips screwdriver and hold firm pressure as you break them loose.

There is no adjustment of the star wheel or the latch itself. The screws that attach the latch to the door can be removed, but there is no adjustment there of any kind.

.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by James_Western_Canada
Here is the pic from the aforementioned item up for bid



....and as Robert mentioned, if the spring loaded portion of the striker plate is functioning as it should, the problem is either worn parts in the latch assembly inside the door, or the latch is all "gummed up" with all the dried up lubricants that have been applied over the last fifty years.
I've had pretty good luck in the past with gummed up latches by removing the latch assemblies, soaking/cleaning them in a can of laquer thinner, then re-lubricating them before reintallation.
But this will only solve the problem if the root cause is not excessive wear.

James
Not that you brought it up, but that picture is not for a striker like our trucks use. The ad says for a 1956 truck. Here's a portion of what ours uses. The catch and outer plate are separate and not shown here.

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.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TA455HO
I was 11B1P. Welcome to FTE!
.

Thanks for the welcome! What's a 1P? Platoon Leader? Where were you stationed?
 
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Old Dec 16, 2016 | 10:50 PM
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Paratrooper. Fort Bragg, N.C.

.
 
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Old Dec 17, 2016 | 10:46 AM
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^ This is B6C-8122009-A .. Left Door Striker for a 1956 truck.

C0AZ-6222009-A .. Left Door Striker Plate: 1961/66 F100/1100 & 1960/64 Galaxie.
 
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Old Dec 17, 2016 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by NumberDummy
^ This is B6C-8122009-A .. Left Door Striker for a 1956 truck.

C0AZ-6222009-A .. Left Door Striker Plate: 1961/66 F100/1100 & 1960/64 Galaxie.
Doesn't matter!! Picture is for illustration only. If the plastic piece is broken, you need a new one. Come on Bill don't be ****. If you have the correct part number for this, than post it!!!!
Don't be a Richard, you don't know everything. People who have experienced problems with their doors need to understand what to look for.
If a picture that I post is not correct, I'm merely pointing out what to look for. Intiendes menzo?
 
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Old Dec 17, 2016 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by gangstakr
Doesn't matter!! Picture is for illustration only. If the plastic piece is broken, you need a new one.

Come on Bill don't be ****. If you have the correct part number for this, than post it!
TA455HO pointed it out first in post #9. I was just confirming with the 1956 part number.

I posted the correct part number/applications below the 1956 number.
 
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Old Dec 17, 2016 | 02:50 PM
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Lol, I just didn't want anyone to buy that one online thinking it was correct for our trucks and then be disappointed.

Robert, are you not taking your meds again? *chuckle*

Days start getting longer in another few days. Always a milestone I look forward to.

Why is there no 22040 listed for our years in the MPC? I see it in the illustration, but not in the text listing.

ND, does the O-S-I give any clues you can share?

.
 
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