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In 2018, I bought a set of door locks in the mid-fifties, the star is loose, so every second time I slam the door, the star is not right, I regret not buying a bear grip that time. Does anyone of you have experience with door locks from the mid-fifties
I think that play you have is normal. Mine (also from Mid-Fity) turn about 1/8 th of a turn and they latch very nicely. Seems like every time I thought I was having latch issues, it turned out to be my striker wasn't adjusted correctly. Just happened a couple of weeks ago. My driver's side door was not latching correctly without slamming it when I put the truck away for the winter. I thought I would get around to it this Spring. Took it out for my first drive of the season 2 weeks back, and thought, yeah, I got to work on the door latch. First thing I checked though was the striker and sure enough it was loose. Carefully adjusted and slightly tightened it til the door was shutting good again. Then I tightened it down to its final setting, and now I am lucky enough to have a door that will latch on even a soft shut. So I would say if your door gaps and are good, and there is no up and down slop with you hinges, work more on your striker adjustment. Hopefully you have a Shop Manual that could step you through the process.
now drawn with a tush around the star released is half a tooth shown in the 1st and 2nd picture.3. And 4.
picture shows the passenger door which is, ok, there is only the half hatch.sorry for the bad Google translate
My 55 the doors were off at the hinges one I adjusted with door hindge shims and the cab striker also had a shim installed. New door seals. And adjustment of the cab striker. The part your showing really can only be adjusted by shining the door hindges not to.offend gust what have found on my 55.AJ
Billygoat, any resolution? I am having the same issue on a new to me truck, opening the door puts out the ajar light, closing it turns it back on. Was it an incorrect lock actuator?
I have no idea how I got here from the super duty section…
Last edited by Thirstymate; May 24, 2026 at 06:32 PM.
The latch on my drivers door does the same thing. My passenger door has much less free rotation and latches fine. If I rotate the drivers door star counter clockwise then close the door it works fine. I assume it is excess wear on the drives door assembly. I bought a new assembly but I have not yet installed it. For now I just remember to rotate the star before closing.
I struggled with the latches on my 54 for many years. I broke own and got the Altman Easy Latches. Everyone should get these latches! You will think you just went to heaven.
They work so slick and the door feels like a new car door when you close it . Never slam a door again!!!!
