1968 Plymouth Satellite Wagon Rear Door

[Yotaguy79]

Hello fellow Mopar owners!

I am having trouble with the rear door of my wagon and am reaching out to get a pro's opinion on what I should do. The rear door has the option of opening as a tailgate (which works fine) but the bottom latch that when released opens the rear door like a door, unfortunately that doesn't function. All the rods and what nots appear to be intact. Should I just take each piece out and see if i can get it undone or what?? Btw the top latch doesn't really "latch" it more or less just sits on the rod and when ya pull the door it releases. The gate/door handle functions fine, just either the springs aren't as tight as they were or something is missing. Pictures of an intact and working mechanism would be appreciated too! Thanks in advance

 

[64 Sportfury]

I'm watching this as well. I have a 68 Coronet wagon and if I open the rear door like a tailgate, close then attempt to to open like a door it won't open. It's not until I drive it a bit and then open it on the first try like a door will it operate correctly. I now believe this is due to the hinge adjustment and some door sag. I have a Factory Service Manual ( which I recommend) and it provides instruction on adjustments. I opened the access plate and cleaned the latch and linkages and checked for looseness already. My next step is adjust at the hinge.
Ernesto

 

[Yotaguy79]

I'm watching this as well. I have a 68 Coronet wagon and if I open the rear door like a tailgate, close then attempt to to open like a door it won't open. It's not until I drive it a bit and then open it on the first try like a door will it operate correctly. I now believe this is due to the hinge adjustment and some door sag. I have a Factory Service Manual ( which I recommend) and it provides instruction on adjustments. I opened the access plate and cleaned the latch and linkages and checked for looseness already. My next step is adjust at the hinge.
Ernesto

Okay I never thought of the door might be sagging. I'll try that and see what comes about. I'm probably just going to take the link arms out and check and make sure everything is intact. I have a service manual and it sure has come in handy BIG time! It's like 900 pages and talks about just about everything I've been working on. One good thing is that the window motor works just fine up and down, at first we thought the motor was shot and the window was stuck in the down position for good but turns out the contact plate just wasn't making a good connection so that could be another clue that the door may just need some adjusting.

 

[64 Sportfury]

If you look at the door gaps you should be able to see either sag or misalignment provided there hasn't been collision damage. I think a set of helping hands would be a good idea when you attempt this as well as making reference marks so you can go back to start should you need to. Please post your results.