Door Adjustment

[Surfcuda]

My passenger side door does not align when shut as shown in the attached photo. The door needs to come in about a 1/4 inch. Before I start tinkering can the door latch assemble be loosened with the three Philip screws so it can be adjusted to correct the issue? Or is there another way to adjust it?

 

[Mr Cuda]

The door latch is fixed. You will have to adjust a hinge, probably the upper.
The door need to come in a bit too.
How is the fit to the fenders?
Remember, convertibles move around a bit. You can't run the gaps as tight as a hardtop.
Your latch and screws need to come out to remove the overspray. And put door seal gaskets on. (In case you are bored)

 

[Surfcuda]

Appreciate the info MrCuda. I was working on the door seals when I noticed the door wasn’t aligned. The gaps are pretty good around the doors. I will attempt adjusting the door in using your advice. Regards Rob

 

[moparleo]

Some information

 

[Surfcuda]

Moparleo, Thanks again! Your info is always insightful and welcome.

 

[moparlee]

The striker post is also adjustable. You may need to adjust it in toward the interior to pull the door in more.

 

[Deathproofcuda]

The striker post is also adjustable. You may need to adjust it in toward the interior to pull the door in more.

No expert on this, but that is what I was thinking too. My experience on this is limited, but if the entire rear edge is proud, as opposed to just the upper portion of the door, I'd probably try to adjust the striker first. Should be alot easier than trying to adjust the alignment of the upper hinge.

 

[Surfcuda]

Thank you. I’m just a backyard engineer and was thinking that either the Striker Post or Latch Assembly would pull the door in as needed. So yeah if the Post can be adjusted that should be the fix. I will give that a try. Also this door does need to be adjusted back a bit so I will use the door hinges to make that correction. All of your inputs are appreciated and adds to my toolbox of E Body knowledge. Regards Rob

 

[moparleo]

The make all of the adjustments with the hinges.
The door latch is just a light stamping and not intended the have much constant stress on it.
Moving the post in and out would really be more to compensate for new weatherstrip stiffness, not door gaps.
Read through the Service Manual adjustment procedure and in what order the adjustments should be made.
Latch would be last. And never to use to compensate for door hinge wear.
I have posted the information about all door/hinge adjustments.
Refer to them.

 

[Ronbo73]

I had the same problem with my car. I had purchased brand new door weatherstrip in the 90's from AM SoffSeal. After hours of adjusting the striker and upper and lower hinges I found that the new door weatherstrip was too firm and did not allow the door to close properly. I luckily saved my original door weatherstrip and installed that. Problem was solved. My advice is to make sure the new door weatherstrip is not too firm also.

 

[cuda joe]

the striker will pull it in the catch on the door . it has 2 lock positions operate it manually you will feel 1 click then push it more there will be another another click sometimes when the door sticks out a little it;s only on the first click so sometimes he striker has to come out a little to get on the second click . also the striker has to be aligned to the door latch

 

[Surfcuda]

the striker will pull it in the catch on the door . it has 2 lock positions operate it manually you will feel 1 click then push it more there will be another another click sometimes when the door sticks out a little it;s only on the first click so sometimes he striker has to come out a little to get on the second click . also the striker has to be aligned to the door latch

Thanks Cuda Joe, looking at the Striker Post it appears to just bolt in with a fixed nut on the backside. Doesn’t look like it can be adjusted inward or outward (meaning right or left). However I could be wrong. Once I get the right bit to remove it I will see if there is any way to adjust it to the right to pull the door in.

 

[Deathproofcuda]

Thanks Cuda Joe, looking at the Striker Post it appears to just bolt in with a fixed nut on the backside. Doesn’t look like it can be adjusted inward or outward (meaning right or left). However I could be wrong. Once I get the right bit to remove it I will see if there is any way to adjust it to the right to pull the door in.

IIRC, the nut on the backside is not fixed in place. Once you loosen the bolt, you should be able to move it. May be stuck in place and will need a few taps to loosen it up.

 

[Surfcuda]

IIRC, the nut on the backside is not fixed in place. Once you loosen the bolt, you should be able to move it. May be stuck in place and will need a few taps to loosen it up.

Thank you, that’s good to know. If it will adjust to the right a 1/4 inch it should pull my door into proper alignment. I checked my 1970 Service Manual also it’s really vague on the Striker Bolt & Latch Assembly. With no info on ability to make any adjustments.