Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2012

• #1

Anyone got any suggestions on curing an opening drivers door latch, or is a replacement necessary after all I've tried? Been battling it for months now, randomly door will 'pop' open to first notch while driving - sometimes it will be because of a large bump but sometimes it seems truly random, occasionally it has opened when not moving!

I've tried moving striker, more shims, less shims, using washers to angle striker, moving door latch and drowning it in WD40 & 3-in-1. Some things have helped but nothing has been 100%. Door hinges have some slight play in them but the door shuts lovely with a small push, but continues to 'pop' open at random.

Oh yes - the striker plastic sleeve is intact.

Trying to avoid having to replace it, more important things to buy!

 

110woman

Manky innards but smilin' still

Events Planner

• Jun 1, 2012

• #2

snap

I'm going for a new catch on mine now-

 

D

DerekT

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2012

• #3

Thought it was just me that had that problem! Quite scary sometimes, drivers door opening as you bump along.

 

Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2012

• #4

Luckily mine doesn't open fully, only to the first position so it just rattles until I close it again, though I have been in others where the door does fully fling open when it feels like it.

I spose I'll probably need a new latch...

 

Dave90

Well-Known Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #5

Tom.JTC said:

Luckily mine doesn't open fully, only to the first position so it just rattles until I close it again, though I have been in others where the door does fully fling open when it feels like it.

I suppose I'll probably need a new latch...

Click to expand...

Is it a push handle? Or the lift type?

If it's the push button, give this a try.

If you use a screwdriver to slide the latch over, feel how positively it latches on the last click, and also press the push button, it should make the latch go back to the first stage, if not then it's worn somewhere or it's binding.

Hope this helps

 

Last edited: Jun 2, 2012

Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #6

Thanks Dave, it's push button, I've played around with looking at the latch positions before but just been and checked again and it all seems OK - compared it to the passenger side one as well. It engages quite positively on both positions, and springs back open once the button is pushed.

 

Dave90

Well-Known Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #7

Tom.JTC said:

Thanks Dave, it's push button, I've played around with looking at the latch positions before but just been and checked again and it all seems OK - compared it to the passenger side one as well. It engages quite positively on both positions, and springs back open once the button is pushed.

Click to expand...

Bit of a weird one I can't see why it would swing open

 

Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #8

Me neither Tried everything - it doesn't swing open though, just has trouble holding fully closed, it'll be OK then suddenly spring back to the middle-position with a clunk while driving so that the door isn't fully closed and rattles away until I can open and shut it again.

 

fanatic

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

Forum Sponsor

• Jun 2, 2012

• #9

series and early 90 had doors prone to this- if it has plastic handles it shouldn't do it unless there is wear

 

Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #10

Thanks Fanny, it's a 1990 Defender...

Been out and sprayed lots of WD40 and oil into lock mechanism, actuated it with a screwdriver all fine, even tried using the screwdriver to put a slight leverage onto latch when it was in the closed position - no give whatsoever.

Yet - when I tried to close it after that it now just hits the striker, locks to position 1 and then bounces back, it won't close properly unless I almost rip the door off by slamming it.

Adjusted striker again, removed shims, different angle, moved the striker back a bit - no luck, moved it all the way outwards (where it was before) and door still won't latch on to it properly.

 

Tom.JTC

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2012

• #11

I think the latch is FUBAR - after last post went back out, wiggled latch a bit and it started shutting OK again then suddenly started bouncing back then shut OK again a few times, and now it seems to shut if you push it as it closes, but will bounce back if swings shut from a distance.

Can also make it pop open when its shut by pulling slightly on the handle and creating vibration by hitting the area on the outside of the door around where the latch is.