Door latch
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- CPL
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- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Door latch
Hey guys, my drivers door latch just gave out. Door won't stay shut. Seems there is no spring action on the outside latch. Opened access panel and found a question marked shaped piece of metal in bottom. Not sure what it is or where it came from. Can anyone help ?
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- SGT
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Re: Door latch
Will the latch pop out with both handles pushed up?
Also do you have a picture of the questioned piece? It'll be easier to identify if it can be seen.
Also do you have a picture of the questioned piece? It'll be easier to identify if it can be seen.
Re: Door latch
If the spring is broken, the latch won't close. You could check with Bill Lammers for a replacement. Bill had a bunch made a few years ago and might still have some available. His email addy is on this forum somewhere, I just can't remember it.
EDIT Found it:
Autodoc51@aol.com
Jess
EDIT Found it:
Autodoc51@aol.com
Jess
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- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Having problems uploading photo
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- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Yeah, the latch pops out with the inside handle up in the locked position. So I can debut my freshly painted ride in upcoming Memorial Day parade in Spring Lake, N.J. Got screws loose on latch and 2 out of 3 on inside handle. I can always drill out 3rd one. Hows does escutcheon plate come off? Afraid to do anything til after parade. If I take out the 3 screws on latch and 3 screws on inside handle does the whole thing come out easily?
Re: Door latch
The escutcheon is spring loaded to, gently depress it towards the door panel, it should reveal a steel pin, use a #8 nail to push it through, have a magnet handy or be prepared to spend some time on your hands & knees looking for it. If you can access the Pics Gallery, I have some door shots there.
Bill has no more springs, someone else might have some spares?
http://www.g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=97
Bill has no more springs, someone else might have some spares?
http://www.g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=97
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
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- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Ok, great help. I still think that question mark piece I found in bottom of door is a spring of some sort. Gotta pull right door in morning and take a look see. BTW, got 3rd screw loose on interior door handle, just afraid right now to remove whole assm.
Re: Door latch
It what you found in the bottom of the door looks like this it's the door catch arm. I found one in both of my doors


Re: Door latch
Bill, The spring is very identifiable on the pic in my album, looks more like a clock spring, dark black & a little shiny, I can take a pic tomorrow if you'd like?bill monahan wrote:Ok, great help. I still think that question mark piece I found in bottom of door is a spring of some sort. Gotta pull right door in morning and take a look see. BTW, got 3rd screw loose on interior door handle, just afraid right now to remove whole assm.
The entire assembly will drop down, come/fit through the access panel. Loosen all three screws, remove two of them, w/one hand on the bracket, remove the third one and lower away.
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
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- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Hey Bruce, it's a little hard to see in your foto but it appears that the piece I found in door might indeed be broken. That's why it's question marked shaped, not totally round like in foto. Hate to ask again but do I have to remove door handle hardware as well when removing latch? How about window glass? Thanks again.
Re: Door latch
I don't think so, my drivers door is off right now, I'll check it this morning. While I'm at it, I take a good pic of my spare door lock.
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
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- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Thanks my friend, greatly appreciate your help. Saw pics of latch springs on another site. Spring is def broken.
Re: Door latch
Well for some reason, I could not upload the pic, so I put it on my fb page/album.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
The thing w/removing the mechanism, either the window all the way up or removed makes the entire process simpler.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
The thing w/removing the mechanism, either the window all the way up or removed makes the entire process simpler.
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
-
- CPL
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:43 am
Re: Door latch
Bruce, GREAT pix. Explains a lot. I have spring coming from Midwest Military. Probably cost more in shipping than cost of spring, LOL. Thanks again for your help.
Re: Door latch
Glad I could help, I hope you bought a few of them?
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA