1955 t-bird door latch loose

[39deluxecp]

the door latches on my 1955 T-Bird are not holding the doors snug against the door jamb when closed. i can adjust the door so it is fully closed, but then the door moves open slightly(3/8") instead of staying tight against the jamb. i notised the cogged wheel on the latch that actually holds the door closed has about 1/2" of ''play;; in it. I mean instead of staying in place, it will rotate the 1/2" of travel. Is this worn out? or are they supposed to be that way? the latch on the passenger door is loose also, but not as bad. does it need new latches?? thanks for your help and Happy New Year.

 

[miker98038]

Not a real good photo, but the point of the wheel at the 1" mark moves 1/4" clockwise when rotated. So 1/2" sounds like a lot of wear. My latches were replaced by new (or rebuilt, don't remember) from Larry's Thunderbird about 16 years ago. This is the passenger door that gets little use.

The problem I have is the door jamb plate tends to move from the door closing. At least once a year I have to move it back out a bit, and retighten it.

 

[39deluxecp]

Thanks for the help, I am ordering new latches

 

[40cpe]

Please let us know if replacing the latches is successful.

 

[39deluxecp]

i will keep you posted, thanks.Henry

 

[Hot Rod Reverend]

check your striker plates... they have a tendency to loosen up. Ford's original "gaskets" or thin spacers were rough like sandpaper to keep the plate from loosening up against the body.

I would check there first - my 55 Ford Club Sedan had tendency to do that until I began using the original style spacers/shims.

 

[miker98038]

Thanks, HRR, that sounds like the solution to my problem, I know I don't have them.

 

[40cpe]

I used these on my '55 and so far, so good. There might be some as good, or better, but they work for me.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORS-Fomoc...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[56sedandelivery]

Somewhat similar question. Who has the best striker plates that go on the door jamb? Right now I have one original and the other one is a two piece set that just does not work right. Looking to find one that is not a cheap chinese knockoff.

 

[KULTULZ]

That would be NOS. The 56 design is an improvement over the 55.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

These door latch mechanisms can have at least two problems that I have ever noticed.
1) the star-wheel shaft is pressed in on the backside, but I have seem them become loose, so you have to remove the latch and weld the shaft on to the backside.
2) There is a coiled spring in there that catches and keeps the star-wheel from turning backward when the door is closed. I have seen those springs broken off at the end. I think you can still get replacements for those.

The door striker plates are designed to be used with an asbestos-cement spacer between the back of the striker and the car door jamb. If you do not have that spacer, the striker plate can move when you slam the door shut, no matter how tight you have the mounting screws. Install those abrasive spacers and your strike plate movement problem is solved.