69 Plymouth B Body door latch breaking out.

[dmsdak]

I have a 69 Plymouth Satellite, two door, non-post car. 117,000 original miles, and Im second owner. The car is nearly completly rust free, however while looking it over today I noticed the metal around the bolt heads for the passenger side door latch (on door) is breaking out and cracking (no rust). Looks to be fatigued. Has anyone seen this before? Do they make a reinforcement plate to fix this problem? Thanks!

Seth

 

[69 rt]

Yeah I've seen it- the driver door on my 69 Coronet has that problem, a rip in the metal at one of the bolt heads. I've never done anything about it as of yet because the door and latch still functions properly, but if I were to fix it, the rip would need to be welded and ground flush and then repaint that area of the door.
I don't think they make any kind of reinforcement plate for it unless you can try to fab one yourself.
More than likely it's caused by years and years of opening and closing the door on a 43 yr. old car!

 

[dmsdak]

You know it would have made more since had the drivers door been the one to do it. haha It still operates properly however, but I agree that seems to be the best way of fixing it. Thanks!

Seth

 

[okiemopar]

Panel Repair

I think AMD makes a new section to go in there. But on my 70 I just cleaned it up and welded some flat metal on the back side and then welded up the outside cleaned it up and painted it. The door hinge is wore out and letting the door sag to make it break out so you need to check on that and maybe buy a new one are rebuild it. Good Luck Ronnie

 

[dmsdak]

No sorry this car is as tight as a drum. You can literally lift the whole car with either door open, no slack what so ever, all gaps are 100% this thing does not have worn door hinges period!

Seth