I have encountered a problem I am not certain how to solve. Both of my doors will not fully latch. The latch will catch when I manipulated the latch mechanism but will not fully latch so the doors are completely closed. Any suggestions for solutions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ken kbakerc@unm.edu

 

Look at the striker plate, it has a nylon bushing on it. When it cracks, and/or falls off, the door will not latch properly.

The striker plate can work loose. If that occurs, in order to open the door from the outside...push the door inwards as far at it will go.

Then when its fully in that position, raise the handle.

 

Many thanks. I will attempt to fix this problem and see what happens. Ken

 

The nylon bushing is not available by itself, only comes with the striker. Regardless, the way Ford made the striker, there is no way to replace just the bushing.

Ford used the same striker plate (D2AZ6522008A) from 1972 thru the 1990's on darn near every vehicle. Right/left is the same, front/rear is the same on 4 doors.

It's available from Ford, and can be bought at autoparts stores. At wrecking yards, get the strikers off the rear door posts of 1972 and later LTD/Crown Vic/Merc Marquis/Grand Marquis, as they see very little usage compared to front doors.

 

WOW- you are really helpful and I really do appreciate your assistance. Will follow your advice.

many thanks, Ken

 

The red carded Motormite HELP brand strikers worked for me. Bring an old one along to compare length.

 

Finally received new door strikers for both doors and installed them - doors close perfectly but I see that my passenger door on the '79 Ranchero is sagging. Any hints on approaching the repair process to correct this?

Again, many thanks for the information,

Ken Baker

 

To repair the sagging door(s) you will need to replace the door hinges or at least the door hinge pins and bushings. Check with parts guy ed for prices and availability.

Dan.

 

Thanks for the insight and will give it a shot to see what happens. Many thanks, Ken

 

PARTSGUYED.COM (Ed Olson, parts manager of Horizon Ford in Tukwila WA-as you know ) will not be able to help with the hinges, since they are obsolete.

The hinge pins (B9A5943030AA) & bushings (D1AZ6522841A) are still available.

D2OZ6522800A .. Upper Door Hinge / Right/Left is the same / Obsolete

Fits: 1972/76 Torino/Ranchero/Thunderbird/Montego/Mark IV / 1974/78 Mustang II / 1974/79 Cougar / 1977/79 LTD II/Ranchero/Thunderbird/Mark V.

MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS in Binghamton NY has ONE = 607-722-5371.

JST AUTOMOTIVE in Lebanon TN has FIVE = 615-443-3086.
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D2OZ6522810A .. Lower Door Hinge / Right/Left is the same / Obsolete

Fits: Same as above except does not fit Mustang II.

WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS in Liberty KY has ONE = 606-787-5293.

PEROGIE ENTERPRISES in Highstown NJ has ONE = 609-448-1684.

JST AUTOMOTIVE has TWO.
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Before buying anything, try the following which is an old used car dealers trick for fixing sagging doors.

Get a 2 x 4 about 5 ft long, lay one end midway along the door sill, t'other end on hard flat surface ground. Close the door till it just touches the wood then...give the door a slight push.

Now close the door, see if it still sags...if so, repeat the process till the door closes correctly.

Tighten up the hinge bolts afterwards. Do NOT do anything with the bolts beforehand.