'56 Vickie door latch

G

Grumpy Rick

Senior Member
I have a '56 Victoria 2 Dr Hardtop. The drivers door often will not latch when shut. After a couple tries, I have to fiddle with the toothed wheel on the door, and if I get it right it shuts fine. If not, it just bangs against the catch.

It does this about half the time I shut the door. I assume there may be a spring in the latch that is supposed to return the wheel to the proper place??

Is this something I can fix, or do I have to get a new/rebuilt latch? If so, are the old rebuilt ones better than the new repops?

I am hoping there is a fix for mine.

Rick

PS: It is a Sunset Coral/White Vickie, frame off back in '91, with an '86 Merc EFI 302, AOD, disc brakes, Posi, 4:10's etc.
 
I had the same problem on my avatar a couple of times. Both times it was the door striker plate and not the star wheel. It looked fine but was worn just enough to not always work properly. A new striker plate fixed the problem. Second time the striker plate screws loosened up just a hair. Readjusted the plate and tightened the screws and has been fine now for 2 years. Good luck!!
 
Yes, look closely at the latch on the pillar, there are two "teeth" on it. Is the first one wore down, off? Replace.
Do you have the Shop Manual? The catch on door the stationary knob is supposed to be just slightly below the latch and when the door closes, the door rises up just a bit to close fully. It was a new safety feature to keep door closed.
 
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