Door hard to open from outside or inside

[femtnmax]

When you operate the inside or outside latch, the door opens a quarter inch or so, then there is a gritty feeling and you have to tug on the outside door handle or push with your shoulder from the inside to get the door to open enough to clear the latch.   With the door open about 1 inch then it swings freely. 

New door hinges installed.  Door striker properly adjusted.  Cleaned the latch mechanism, then sprayed triflow everywhere I could.  Operating the latch by hand seems to work ok.

I placed masking tape all around the latch opening, then closed/opened the door a bunch of times....no rubbing anywhere.   

Is there grit or crud in the latch mechanism, or are they worn out?  Neither latch is in all that great of condition.  Does someone offer reproduction latches that can be recommended?

 

[Bullitt-]

   You say the strikers are adjusted correctly, my drivers side was sticky kind of like your describing, it took an extra tug after the latch was released to open the door. I adjusted the striker down a smidgen & it cleared up.

  If it's still hard to open to 1 inch like you say I would suspect that some part of the door is out of adjustment to the point of dragging. 

[72rtchallenger]

   You say the strikers are adjusted correctly, my drivers side was sticky kind of like your describing, it took an extra tug after the latch was released to open the door. I adjusted the striker down a smidgen & it cleared up.

  If it's still hard to open to 1 inch like you say I would suspect that some part of the door is out of adjustment to the point of dragging.

sounds like it needs adjusting first

[burdar]

You could send your latches to Jules if they are worn out.  They will come back looking and working like new.  It won't be cheap however, and he has a pretty big lead time.  I don't know that anyone is reproducting new latches.  Maybe someone has a used pair that they will let you try.

Double check your adjustment like what was said above.  Then check the door rods to make sure they are installed correctly and not binding.

[dodj]

   You say the strikers are adjusted correctly, my drivers side was sticky kind of like your describing, it took an extra tug after the latch was released to open the door. I adjusted the striker down a smidgen & it cleared up.

  If it's still hard to open to 1 inch like you say I would suspect that some part of the door is out of adjustment to the point of dragging.

Is it possible the striker is shimmed too far out or not far enough?

[dutch]

Is it possible the striker is shimmed too far out or not far enough?

that was my first thought...

[femtnmax]

   You say the strikers are adjusted correctly, my drivers side was sticky kind of like your describing, it took an extra tug after the latch was released to open the door. I adjusted the striker down a smidgen & it cleared up.

The other day I had moved the striker down in small steps...today moving it up small amounts solved the problem for the passenger door...works easily now.   The drivers door did not respond to adjustments.  I had taped the strikers too the other day, and verified no abnormal contact including correct # of shims under the striker.  So I'll pick up anothe used latch assy for the drivers door.
Thanks for the good ideas.
Now if it would quit snowing I can have the wheels aligned and run the roads to seat the piston rings.

[jimynick]

Phil, look closely at the striker bolt as it enters the latch. It's possibly too far out or in and dragging IN the latch. Close the door until it's nearly shut and squatting down, pick a reference spot-(trim or body line) and while watching it carefully, close the door slowly. If it lifts or dips, the striker has to be moved down or up and you can usually see how deep the bolt goes into the latch at that time as well. To check the latch operation (stickiness) just open the door and use a screwdriver to trip the latch closed and then lift the handle and see how easy the latch releases the screwdriver. While you've got the door open a wee bit, grab the bottom with 2 hands and pick it up, it shouldn't have any appreciable free up and down movement-hinges/pins/bushings. If it does, sometimes the door will drag in the latch coming open, but once it clears the latch and falls down, it'll move freely and changing them (pins/bshngs) will restore the free movement. This is a common problem on any large 2 door car and my own included. Hope this helps!

[challengermaniac]

When you operate the inside or outside latch, the door opens a quarter inch or so, then there is a gritty feeling and you have to tug on the outside door handle or push with your shoulder from the inside to get the door to open enough to clear the latch.   With the door open about 1 inch then it swings freely. 

New door hinges installed.  Door striker properly adjusted.  Cleaned the latch mechanism, then sprayed triflow everywhere I could.  Operating the latch by hand seems to work ok.

Phil,

I had my lower hinges rebuilt and now they work better than new.