farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-11-12 07:19 PM - Post#2258283
Hi. I have a 53 Chevy sedan and the passenger side door is giving me some problems. I have to slam it to get it to latch all the way and have to push in on the door hard to get it to open. I've already had to have the window channel welded once. I tried adjusting the striker and I could get it to open easy, but I still had to slam it and the door seemed too loose and it stuck out to far. I also tried working the latch with the door open. It unlatches perfectly fine with no pressure on it, but when I apply a small amount of pressure towards the inside of the car, it won't unlatch until I release my finger completely. Is my problem with the striker? It looks a little worn. Or the latch inside the door? Also, are all 49 to 54 striker plates interchangeable? I've seen several different variations of them.
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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RAM_51
Senior Member
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Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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08-11-12 07:43 PM - Post#2258289
In response to farmerj
I'm not sure, but from your Avaitar, it looks as though you are driving a mild custom with a chop. If that is the case, I would assume that your door has been removed, purhaps several times during the life of the car.
If it were me, chop, mild custom, stock included, I would buy a new striker and a new latch and start from there. I would almost assume that is what you are thinking as you are trying to figure out what you can use and from what body styles and years.
You can look through the following link. Generally speaking same part number, regardless of year, would be the same part. I would suspect that other GM makes, i.e. Buick, Pontiac, etc. also used the same latches and strikers.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_54chevyp...
DEFORMATION CAUSED BY TENSION IS
STRETCHING
THE RESULT OF DEFORMATION CAUSED BY COMPRESSION IS
UPSETTING |
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tigwelder
Contributor
Posts: 164
Reg: 09-18-09
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08-11-12 08:13 PM - Post#2258299
In response to RAM_51
adjust the hinges.
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RAM_51
Senior Member
Posts: 1665
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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08-11-12 08:54 PM - Post#2258311
In response to farmerj
adjust the hinges.
That being said, these links have more information on doing that:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/... and
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/...
DEFORMATION CAUSED BY TENSION IS
STRETCHING
THE RESULT OF DEFORMATION CAUSED BY COMPRESSION IS
UPSETTING |
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farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-11-12 09:32 PM - Post#2258318
In response to RAM_51
Thanks guys for the tips. There doesn't seem be any play in the hinges and the body lines are currently lined up pretty good. But I'll read up on the hinge adjustment.
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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lobucrod
Contributor
Posts: 223
Age: 61
Loc: Springtown Texas
Reg: 10-01-07
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08-12-12 05:35 AM - Post#2258360
In response to farmerj
I was having the same problem with the doors not opening unless some inward pressure was applied to the door. adjusted, lubed, same problem. Finally lubed the striker itself and fixed the problem.
'38 Chevy Coupe
'50 Sedan Delivery
'37 Chevy Peecup
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Happy Belair
Contributor
Posts: 861
Reg: 10-29-06
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08-12-12 05:56 AM - Post#2258366
In response to lobucrod
do you have the ORIGINAL latch assembly or is it some version of the Bear claw as that is a miod custom application.
If original, it is an easy adjustment if the latch is still god. They are available as NOS through sevral locations.
If a Bear claw the striker bolt is adjustable
54 Belair 1067DTX, Roman red 327 Turbo350
54 Belair Hardtop, just bod off frame,work in progress
54 210 Station wagon Father in laws pass me down |
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farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-12-12 07:33 AM - Post#2258386
In response to Happy Belair
Thanks, I will try some lube. The latches are original. I know of making adjustments with the striker plate, but am not sure how to make adjustments to the latch itself.
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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 Bob_Hayden
"12th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 5742
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 08-12-12 07:58 AM - Post#2258396
In response to farmerj
Only way to make adjustment to the latch is to move the door. Have to tried tilting the striker plate a little toward the inside? That means top in and bottom out. Just a little. If that doesn't work then try tilting the other way. I, personally, think a little grease will fix it.
| Bob Hayden's 54 Chevy, 350 Engine with TH400 Tranny and 94 4X4 Blazer Rear End with 3:23 gears.(FINISHED PICS) </a> My 54 Albums |
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 solson780
Silver Supporting Member
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08-12-12 08:59 AM - Post#2258416
In response to farmerj
My money is on the striker. I had this problem a couple months ago. I'd try eBay that is where I found some Pontiac or Buick strikers that are the same.
Scott
1981 Chevy Custom Deluxe 2WD Shortbed Truck
2009 Chevy Malibu
1949 Chevy 2 Door Sedan Deluxe - 350/350, Mustang II Front, Heidts IRS with 3.25 gear |
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farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-12-12 12:52 PM - Post#2258488
In response to solson780
I'm going to try grease and a little more adjusting of the striker plate for now. And look for some replacements. There is more wear on the plate than I'd prefer. I don't really want to mess with the hinges. The body lines and gaps are pretty good and I don't have the experience where I'd feel comfortable not making it worse.
So the bottom notch on the striker plate... Should the "nub" on the door be scraping up against the bottom of this notch on the plate? What us the purpose of it? I'm guessing to remove tension and weight on the hinges while driving?
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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Bob_Hayden
"12th Year" Gold Supporting Member
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 08-12-12 01:47 PM - Post#2258506
In response to farmerj
Anyone think the spring on the latch could be broken? Does the spring pull the lever down?
| Bob Hayden's 54 Chevy, 350 Engine with TH400 Tranny and 94 4X4 Blazer Rear End with 3:23 gears.(FINISHED PICS) </a> My 54 Albums |
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 bobg1951chevy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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08-12-12 03:11 PM - Post#2258536
In response to Bob_Hayden
It sounds like the door latch ( on the door) is dragging on the striker (on the door jamb).
Either the striker is misaligned or there is a worn hinge, causing the door to sag.
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farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-12-12 09:00 PM - Post#2258657
In response to bobg1951chevy
The door doesn't seem to be sagging. There is no up and down play on it. Everything works fine if I move the striker plate outwards, but then I have a gap towards the rear.
Does anyone know what the purpose of that spring loaded rubber bumper on the striker plate is?
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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RAM_51
Senior Member
Posts: 1665
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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08-13-12 01:20 AM - Post#2258674
In response to farmerj
It should he noted that it is important to check all door gaps with the striker REMOVED from the door jamb. This includes the in and out adjustment as well.
tigwelder may have a point in what he said. Adjusting a door can be intimitading though, not to mention complicated with the way GM hid the adjustment bolts behind the front fender. It is easily a two man job especially with the longer, heavier 2 door models.
I'm actually trying to adjust the left front door on my '50 4 door and haven't gotten to where I'm satisfied yet. I'm almost to the point where I feel that if I hang a completely different door, my problems will be solved. Good luck man! You'll have to let us know how it all turns out.
DEFORMATION CAUSED BY TENSION IS
STRETCHING
THE RESULT OF DEFORMATION CAUSED BY COMPRESSION IS
UPSETTING |
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farmerj
Forum Newbie
Posts: 95
Age: 31
Loc: Chicago, IL
Reg: 01-15-09
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08-27-12 12:05 PM - Post#2263671
In response to RAM_51
Here's an update in case anyone was wondering:
I just replaced the striker with a NOS one. The old one had very noticeable wear on it. After very little adjusting of the new one, the door opens and closes better than I could have dreamed, like a new car. The body lines are also lined up good. No more slamming when shutting or sticking when opening. Makes me want to replace the driver's side door too now. Thanks to everyone for your advice.
| --53 Chevy Bel-Air 2-door sedan |
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RAM_51
Senior Member
Posts: 1665
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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08-29-12 06:58 AM - Post#2264337
In response to farmerj
Great news! Things do wear-out over time. Good to hear you are having luck in tracking down the problem. 
DEFORMATION CAUSED BY TENSION IS
STRETCHING
THE RESULT OF DEFORMATION CAUSED BY COMPRESSION IS
UPSETTING |
|
Bob_Hayden
"12th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 5742
Age: 66
Loc: Indianapolis, In. USA
Reg: 07-17-01
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08-29-12 08:11 AM - Post#2264354
In response to RAM_51
Don't you love it when a plan comes together?? LOL
| Bob Hayden's 54 Chevy, 350 Engine with TH400 Tranny and 94 4X4 Blazer Rear End with 3:23 gears.(FINISHED PICS) </a> My 54 Albums |
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