I've noticed the past couple days driving to work that every time I hit a bump my driver door rattles. Checking it out today, it looks like the striker post is rock solid and hasn't moved and isn't showing any obvious wear. The door hinges are getting sloppy and could be replaced, but not so much to explain the rattle. When I push against the door on the latch side it moves in and out a good 1/4 to 3/8". Looking at the latch mechanism, it has some play in it, and the way the door moves in and out while latched, its got to be the latch that is allowing it.

For a 78 F-150 with 145,000 miles, is this a common problem?

 

Is the little plastic cover (cylinder) still on the nader pin?

 

what's the nader pin?

 

Check the striker post(where the door latch grabs onto)
if the plastic insert that goes around the steel post is missing the
door will rattle, thats how my 78 was...Put on a new post and
it went away

 

huh, yeah, there is no plastic piece on the door striker, it is just solid metal. Maybe I need to go compare it to the other side.

 

The door pin on the body should have a "rubber" around it. Also if your door to body seal is worn out it could cause it.

Bear Tracks

 

Do a quick fix and wrap the striker bolt with electrical tape really tight. It will build it up so it won't rattle. Works fabulous.

-Dan

 

Yup, it's common. I had no plastic piece on the drivers side and a small piece of one on the passenger side. I took a piece of conduit, cut it to length, split it, fit it onto the post, and re-attached the post. Hasn't rattled since then.

K.

 

yep, compared it to the passenger side, my driver side is missing the plastic, and the passenger side plastic is about to fall off. I'll try the temporary fixes. Since I drive this truck just about every day to work, I'll be looking to pick up some good used or maybe fork out for new.

 

Sigt,
LMC has them for 9.95 each ... you may find them cheaper locally but it gives you a place to start.

Don

 

Who's LMC? You're link went to somebody else who listed them for $16.50.

thanks for all the replies.

 

try lmctruck-com.. then you can order their catalog for the 73-79 Ford trucks.. they have a lot of stuff in it .

Don