BJ8 door latches

[Jerry]

My wife and I had fun last weekend installing the door and getting the adjustment on the door latch. So far we have the drivers door very close. I did find that the screws would not hold the latch in place when the door was closed hard. The were moved inward. I did build a stop for the latch that connects to the back plate but was wondering how the rest of you keep it in place? with the hole almost 1/2 inch, it is just a pressure fit to hold it.

I would also suggest that anyone doing the aluminum shut plates, buy the type that have an insert for the latch. Mine did not and the fit was very tight.

Jerry
late BJ8

 

[Keoke]

Well Jerry, if you have to shut the door hard to get it to latch it is my experience that the slotted "C" shaped peace that forms the locking mechanism attached to the door is loose on its square shaft. Compensating for That play requires that the peg mechanism, Pilar Latch, be set to far inward. A correction for this problem is to weld that slotted "C" shaped piece to it's shaft. Prior to welding that piece it should be rotated as far down as it will go.---FWIW--KEOKE

 

[Jerry]

I will check that. I did not notice any play in the door mechanism but spent most of my time on the pillar latch. I got interupted at the "end" of adjustment so I might as well check the door C also.

Thank you as usual for your advice.

Jerry

 

[John_Progess]

Jerry,
I just went thru this process on my restoration. I got my doors to finally fit nicely but it took a while. Make sure you grease ALL contact points of both the door and pillar latch. I had to refit the aluminum sill finishers as they were too tight and prevented the door from closing easily. I will probably have to fine tune it again when I fit the door seal. Have a good day!

John