1965 Coronet 500 convertible passenger door latch issue

[finz68]

All of a sudden, the passenger door on my 48k all original Coronet 500 convertible will not fully shut. I can push it fully closed but as soon as I let go, it opens an inch. There is zero play in the hinges and I have greased the door latch and tried to adjust the body latch receiver (which was already tightly attached). No change. I am now searching for a Hancock door latch replacement and having little luck. Any guidance? Also, any suggestions on how to carefully remove my original, mint door panel without ruining it? Thank you all!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Don’t freak out. Look for something (like the door seal) preventing the door from closing. If that doesn’t work…Mark where the striker on the door is now (pencil), loosen big Phillips screws and move the striker outwards 1/8”-1/4”.

 

[MoparJW]

Not sure what it's called, but does that plastic block slide back easily?
Had that happen once, spraying some light oil around it fixed the problem for me.

 

[finz68]

Not sure what it's called, but does that plastic block slide back easily?
Had that happen once, spraying some light oil around it fixed the problem for me.

Yes.

 

[finz68]

Don’t freak out. Look for something (like the door seal) preventing the door from closing. If that doesn’t work…Mark where the striker on the door is now (pencil), loosen big Phillips screws and move the striker outwards 1/8”-1/4”.

No success.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

No success.

Well, no sheet metal looks torn & although the passenger latch “looks” OK, maybe it’s the bad part (?). First, Maybe double check (by eye) that the striker and latch line up (eg don’t need any more spacer behind the striker). If all that fails, post here looking for a passenger latch (pretty easy part to find) or check eBay. There’s a Canadian company in EBay that sells Mopar latches. Oh yeah, since it’s a convertible, make sure the “brass wedge” near the striker is being contacted too

 

[finz68]

Well, no sheet metal looks torn & although the passenger latch “looks” OK, maybe it’s the bad part (?). First, Maybe double check (by eye) that the striker and latch line up (eg don’t need any more spacer behind the striker). If all that fails, post here looking for a passenger latch (pretty easy part to find) or check eBay. There’s a Canadian company in EBay that sells Mopar latches. Oh yeah, since it’s a convertible, make sure the “brass wedge” near the striker is being contacted too

Thank you so much for your feedback! Really appreciated! The striker and latch do line up and I have zero play on the hinges so I am going to CAREFULLY remove the door card (any advice would be welcomed with that!) for inspection. Do you have the contact info for that Canadian?

 

[retractable]

The striker can be changed a very very small bit and the latch is affected on how easy or hard it latches.. have you lubed the latch inside the door by spraying lube down window opening when window is down.