70 Cuda Door Jamb Striker

[MR291]

Having issues closing the doors and they do not lock. Hinges are aligned and the linkages are fine. The door jamb strikers were off the car at the body shop and I am wondering if there is something missing. The two washers are there but is there a cadmium colored bushing that goes on the shaft of the striker post where the locking mechanism hits the striker. Appreciate it.

[1 Wild R/T]

You say they do not lock.. Does that mean they latch but you can't operate the lock lever? Or?  If they do latch do they latch fully or just the safety catch? By that I mean they should latch initially with the door slightly open (safety catch) then the secondary fully closed latch... It the striker is to far in the door latches on the safety catch when the door is fully closed... And if the door isn't double latched you can't operate the door lock....

[MR291]

I can shut the door but it will not lock with the locking lever. I believe that it is just the safety that is catching it. When I trip the door locking mechanism with a screwdriver, when the door is open, it will lock and unlock with the locking mechanism and I believe it is the only the safety and not the full lock with the secondary that is engaging. I have adjusted the door hinges as far as they can go and there is not enough play in the striker or the door lock mechanism to trip the lock fully. So I was thinking that perhaps there was a bushing that goes on the striker post that would increase the diameter enabling the locking mechanism to close fully.

[1 Wild R/T]

First thing I do is put one piece of masking tape below the striker & one behind it so I have a reference... When you loosen the striker it moves freely & it's easy to lose your original position.... So loosen the post & staying at the same height move the striker out as far as it will go & try closing the door...

[HP_Cuda]

Take a pic of the striker and post here.

[burdar]

https://www.herbsparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3454485(1)

The striker assembly has a rubber bushing in between the bolt and the outer sleeve.

[burdar]

[MR291]

I have attached pictures of the striker. Apparently the sleeve/bushing is there. (old eyes) There is no more inward adjustment possible and the rear of the passenger door sits out about 1/8th of an inch from the body. Driver's door sits flush with the body, but same issue with the lock. I have tried to move the locking mechanism inward but no room for movement. I have also tried adjusting with the allen key slot in the door but no luck there either. Perhaps the striker needs a washer under it to push it further forward towards front of car. I gather there was supposed to be a second washer. As said above door mechanism will close using a screwdriver as a striker substitute and locking mechanism will lock and unlock car.

[1 Wild R/T]

There is no more inward adjustment possible

But if you read my post above you'll realize the trick is you want to move the striker out so the latch will be able to trip the secondary latch...

But FWIW HP_Cuda's asking about the striker was a good point to, your strikers are breaking down & it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace them...

Oh, and it looks like your Cuda has the overhead console?

[70chall440]

when you close the door softly, there should be 2 "clicks". Is the glass in the doors? if not, don't spend a lot of time adjusting them now or they will be off with the glass and regulators in there. if you are not ready to put the glass in, then you need 52lbs in each door to compensate.

Adjusting the doors is a bit of an art form and takes time, but it isn't that hard. You need to get the striker out (slide towards the outside) so you can get the door to latch, then you can start to get a sense of what direction it has to go and how much.

[MR291]

I will try by moving the striker out and "double" engaging the lock and see if it pulls the door in far enough.  Yes the car has an overhead console. She is Gran Coupe. Thanks.

[70chall440]

Once you get the door to latch correctly, you can determine where you need to adjust it to make it fit the body correctly.

[burdar]

You can find replacement rubber bushings in Dodge trucks up through the early 90's.  I found some good used ones on the passengers side of some trunks in a junk yard.  I didn't feel comfortable paying $50 each for those.

[1 Wild R/T]

You can find replacement rubber bushings in Dodge trucks up through the early 90's.  I found some good used ones on the passengers side of some trunks in a junk yard.  I didn't feel comfortable paying $50 each for those.

Good tip... I bought new ones twenty years ago when they were $16 & I thought that was outrageous....

[MR291]

Late but not forgotten.

Just finished aligning the doors and the striker position was exactly the problem. Thanks all.