Door latches

[John G]

Ok. So none of the latches on my doors will engage to the second latch. I thought by sliding the striker out a little it would engage but all it does is move the door out a little. Are the latches in the door adjustable? Thought I would ask before tearing the doors apart. Thanks!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Ok. So none of the latches on my doors will engage to the second latch. I thought by sliding the striker out a little it would engage but all it does is move the door out a little. Are the latches in the door adjustable? Thought I would ask before tearing the doors apart. Thanks!

Year, make, and model may be helpful.

All of a sudden none of your doors will latch fully? The latches are not usually adjustable. Are they dirty and caked with dried grease? Have you tried cleaning one of the latches with mutilple doses of a spray penetrating lubricant while holding a rag under the latch.

I have seen door latches on higher mileage / high use vehicles that become dirty and do not operate smoothly (or stick in the "open" position). Several liberal doses of penetrating cleaner, followed by white lithium grease usually frees-up the latch mechanism.

Let us know more.

 

[John G]

Year, make, and model may be helpful.

All of a sudden none of your doors will latch fully? The latches are not usually adjustable. Are they dirty and caked with dried grease? Have you tried cleaning one of the latches with mutilple doses of a spray penetrating lubricant while holding a rag under the latch.

I have seen door latches on higher mileage / high use vehicles that become dirty and do not operate smoothly (or stick in the "open" position). Several liberal doses of penetrating cleaner, followed by white lithium grease usually frees-up the latch mechanism.

Let us know more.

Thanks for the reply! Yes details do help. Sorry I didn't include them. She's a 2004 XLT with 229000 on the clock. I've had her a few weeks. Fixing lots of little things. The latches seem to move freely but I will give the penetrating spray a try. I'm always up for a trip to the auto parts store!

 

[BRIANGEE]

If you are experiencing door rattling going down the road Ford issued a TSB For that. It could be either the latches or the weather stripping if I remember correctly. I experience the same thing but have not had the time to address that yet.