door latch
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 8
From: Austin, TX
door latch
I have struggled with my doors since I have had the truck. My door sticker is new on my drivers side from dennis carpenter. When I shut the dorr it shuts and no alignment issues that I can see. The star wheel going in the the door striker but nothing happens to keep the door shut. It looks like its all alinged but the dorr does not stay shut.
Is the latch itself in the door bad? On the door I have cleaned and regreased the star wheel. If I lock the door the star does not spin. If I unloock the door it spins and clikcs each time you spin it once.
I am lost on what to do next. messed with alignment and moved the striker plate all over with no luck.
Is the latch itself in the door bad? On the door I have cleaned and regreased the star wheel. If I lock the door the star does not spin. If I unloock the door it spins and clikcs each time you spin it once.
I am lost on what to do next. messed with alignment and moved the striker plate all over with no luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
Likes: 3,100
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Sounds like you've got a problem there.
Just kidding, when I first brought up your post I tried to figure out what year truck you're talking about. Then I read about the star latch so I could tell it wasn't a Bonus Built, '49-52, so I can't help. It helps a lot to state the year of your truck when you post a question about it. Most members, like me, kind of specialize in the specific year we own and pretty much know every nut and bolt. So if we knew what year you have I'm sure one of our experts in that vintage would be more than happy to help. Otherwise, you may just get a bunch of guesses to the solution of your problem.
Just kidding, when I first brought up your post I tried to figure out what year truck you're talking about. Then I read about the star latch so I could tell it wasn't a Bonus Built, '49-52, so I can't help. It helps a lot to state the year of your truck when you post a question about it. Most members, like me, kind of specialize in the specific year we own and pretty much know every nut and bolt. So if we knew what year you have I'm sure one of our experts in that vintage would be more than happy to help. Otherwise, you may just get a bunch of guesses to the solution of your problem.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
shot in the dark
This may not be any help, but the only thing I could think of is that the latch is stuck in the open position letting the star/wheel freely spin. Might be the outside button or the handle on the inside. Might be worth a shot.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
I've had the same problem. Everything seems to be lined up , but, the door won'r stay closed. What works for me is to shift the door slightly to the rear by putting a 2x4 in the hinge area opening and gently pushing the door closed.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Ardmore, TN / AL
If you can get the latch out, you might be able to see any problems like old springs or just needing a good cleaning and greasing. Also might want to look at bear claws, much safer and not that hard to do.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
54ford100 has the idea. I have a 56 (same latch as your 53) and happen to have the latches out for painting the doors. I examined my latches.
In the first picture below, the latch is locked. the star wheel cannot turn, except to allow latching. The lever that the handle button depresses has a pawl that engages the star wheel directly, locking it.
In this picture, the button lever is depressed, which allows the star wheel to spin freely, and the door will open.
The ONLY way the star wheel will spin is if the lever is depressed so that the pawl does not block the star wheel. You will want to check the handle button to see it it is stuck. If that isn't what is causing the problem, roll the window up (to get it out of the way), remove the lower door access panel and then take out the four screws in the outside latch jamb that hold the latch in the door. Reach up into the door thru the access panel and remove the latch. Examine it to see what is stuck. It is a very simple mechanism and the problem will soon be evident.
This whole process is described well in the Ford Truck Shop Manual. Get one if you don't have it.
Good luck.
In the first picture below, the latch is locked. the star wheel cannot turn, except to allow latching. The lever that the handle button depresses has a pawl that engages the star wheel directly, locking it.
In this picture, the button lever is depressed, which allows the star wheel to spin freely, and the door will open.
The ONLY way the star wheel will spin is if the lever is depressed so that the pawl does not block the star wheel. You will want to check the handle button to see it it is stuck. If that isn't what is causing the problem, roll the window up (to get it out of the way), remove the lower door access panel and then take out the four screws in the outside latch jamb that hold the latch in the door. Reach up into the door thru the access panel and remove the latch. Examine it to see what is stuck. It is a very simple mechanism and the problem will soon be evident.
This whole process is described well in the Ford Truck Shop Manual. Get one if you don't have it.
Good luck.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 8
From: Austin, TX
I am sorry I forgot to mention year it is a 1953. Randy jack my latch is completly different looking.
Just as a side note I was debating a bear claw kit like the altman. Anyone have any preferences? Seems like it would solve a lot of issues I am having.
Just as a side note I was debating a bear claw kit like the altman. Anyone have any preferences? Seems like it would solve a lot of issues I am having.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Please, get a shop manual.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 8
From: Austin, TX
I do have a shop manual. I see in the manual removing the latch I have just not done it because it was to cold so I was hoping some guys would have some insight before I pulled the latch. The star i am talking about it the star that you see on the door itself when the latch is installed.
I though the 56 had a different design for the wheel and a safety latch feature? I thought the wheel was more narrow as well?
I though the 56 had a different design for the wheel and a safety latch feature? I thought the wheel was more narrow as well?
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