Adjusting Door Closing Tightness
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Adjusting Door Closing Tightness
I need to adjust the door closing latch so the door will close tighter on my 1988 F-150 as it rattles a bit on these dirt roads up here in Michigan. Does the mechanism in the door slide in and out or do I move that little post latch on the door jam? Thanks in advance!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
loosen up the striker bolt in the door jamb, and move it in a little bit. don't go crazy. 1/16 inch will make the difference of a door that closes properly, and one that will only single latch.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Hi Senior Chief,
Does your striker bolt have the plastic bushing on it? If not, you'll need to replace it. It will rattle like hell no matter where you adjust it if that bushing is broken off. The latch mechanism in the door is fixed and can't be adjusted.
When you adjust your striker bolt, push the door in as much as you can while still being able to eyeball the striker bolt. The striker should be vertically centered in the opening on the door latch. When you move the striker inboard to make the door shut tighter, it almost always moves up or down a bit and can become misaligned. Agree with tjc, a little goes a long way when making these adjustments.
Does your striker bolt have the plastic bushing on it? If not, you'll need to replace it. It will rattle like hell no matter where you adjust it if that bushing is broken off. The latch mechanism in the door is fixed and can't be adjusted.
When you adjust your striker bolt, push the door in as much as you can while still being able to eyeball the striker bolt. The striker should be vertically centered in the opening on the door latch. When you move the striker inboard to make the door shut tighter, it almost always moves up or down a bit and can become misaligned. Agree with tjc, a little goes a long way when making these adjustments.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by matts156
Hi Senior Chief,
Does your striker bolt have the plastic bushing on it? If not, you'll need to replace it. It will rattle like hell no matter where you adjust it if that bushing is broken off. The latch mechanism in the door is fixed and can't be adjusted.
When you adjust your striker bolt, push the door in as much as you can while still being able to eyeball the striker bolt. The striker should be vertically centered in the opening on the door latch. When you move the striker inboard to make the door shut tighter, it almost always moves up or down a bit and can become misaligned. Agree with tjc, a little goes a long way when making these adjustments.
Does your striker bolt have the plastic bushing on it? If not, you'll need to replace it. It will rattle like hell no matter where you adjust it if that bushing is broken off. The latch mechanism in the door is fixed and can't be adjusted.
When you adjust your striker bolt, push the door in as much as you can while still being able to eyeball the striker bolt. The striker should be vertically centered in the opening on the door latch. When you move the striker inboard to make the door shut tighter, it almost always moves up or down a bit and can become misaligned. Agree with tjc, a little goes a long way when making these adjustments.
-Chris
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the striker bolt screws into a plate in the "B" pillar, that is held in by tabs that keep it from falling out when you unscrew the striker bolt....usually.
unfortunately, i have never been able to find just the Teflon bushing. you have to buy the complete bolt.
Y2K ford parts, a site sponsor has them listed for $16.24
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top>Striker, f150 - f150 1980-91 - F150 1980-91</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>84-91 </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$22.55</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right> </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$16.24</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
unfortunately, i have never been able to find just the Teflon bushing. you have to buy the complete bolt.
Y2K ford parts, a site sponsor has them listed for $16.24
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top>Striker, f150 - f150 1980-91 - F150 1980-91</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top noWrap align=middle>84-91 </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$22.55</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right> </TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-TOP: #24569d 4px double" vAlign=top align=right>$16.24</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
The bushing goes over the threaded end of the bolt. The bolt then goes through the bracket and the push clip goes over the threads to hold the bracket against the shank of the bolt.
Here's a somewhat fuzzy pic. It's 8 bucks at Advance (Parts America)
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/rnb/5038448.jpg
Here's a somewhat fuzzy pic. It's 8 bucks at Advance (Parts America)
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/rnb/5038448.jpg
Last edited by matts156; Mar 22, 2007 at 10:17 PM.
