Door latch question

[rejeep]

only on my RHD drivers door...
but the auto catch doesn’t seem to work.. I have to hold the latch in the open position to close the door on the striker..

Is this something I can adjust or is a new latch required?

[Nium]

Lubrication

Have you tried lubing the latch with WD-40. Made a world of difference for me. Went from having to slam the doors shut to being able to have them latch with more normal car door closing force.

Cheers!

[SafeAirOne]

I concur except that I'd use something more persistent than wd40--I usually smear a little grease on everything. No matter what you use, you'll get pretty dirty if you touch the latch or the catch getting in and out of the Rover. Lubricating these is a routine servicing item, as your doors will start to get to be hard to close again in another few months--At least on my rover.

The ultimate solution is to switch to anti-burst latches, at least on the driver's door.

[gambrinus]

If you grease them, you'll end up with a grease smudge on every bit of clothing you own and your wife will have a fit... Go ahead and ask me how I know this.

If you have your door adjusted correctly.. even spacing all the way around.. fiddle with the hinges and make sure that you don't need a rebuild kit. You can also adjust the catch.. make sure that it hasn't wiggled out of the right spot. It's a job that's WAY easier with two people and a bit of beer.

[rejeep]

I think I described my situation wrong..
It’s not that it is hard to close, or don’t close well..
It doesn’t close at all unless I hold the latch open.
All of my other doors close nicely when the striker hits the latch pin, the driver side just thuds and bounces back..
No amount of pressure I put on the latch will cause it to collapse..

I will see if lubing it internally will work, but I feel some spring or something is fubar

[SafeAirOne]

I think I described my situation wrong..
It’s not that it is hard to close, or don’t close well..
It doesn’t close at all unless I hold the latch open.
All of my other doors close nicely when the striker hits the latch pin, the driver side just thuds and bounces back..
No amount of pressure I put on the latch will cause it to collapse..

I will see if lubing it internally will work, but I feel some spring or something is fubar

Lubricating sometimes helps this situation. If not, you might try removing some shims from under the catch on the door frame (if there are any left under there).

[LaneRover]

Should I assume the anti-burst type? Or does your Rover have the earlier type? On one of my Rovers with the older latches to get the door to fully latch and close I literally have to lift up on the door itself. I know it is out of alignment and one of these days I plan on fixing it.

If you are going to use WD-40 then please don't. Or should I say go and get a product called 'Breakfree' it is much much better.

[LaneRover]

oh and depending on the jeeps you have there still might be some interest . . .

[stomper]

I agree with the lubing option. If you press the latch inward, it is probably gummed up with old grease. I use WD-40, to disolve this old grease, and get it springing back and forth nicely. You could also use brake cleaner for this, but be careful of your paint as it will disolve that too. Once it is degummed, either leave it, and use WD-40 every 4 weeks or so, or use a stronger greasing lube. Just remember to degum it every so often.

[rejeep]

oh and depending on the jeeps you have there still might be some interest . . .

My stable:

2008 Grand Cherokee SRT8
2007 Land Rover LR3
1988 YJ Sahara - Well built 4.2L, Howell TBI, TFI,AX-15,D30&8.8, 4.11, 6"Lift 35"BFG/KM2
1974 Land Rover SIII 109"
1967 CJ5 Plow Jeep
1964 CJ5 Dauntless V6 (build stage, complete resto)
1955 CJ5 Plow Jeep
1949 CJ3-a 6volt and Stock

[rejeep]

as for the lock..
I will try playing around with it and some brake clean tonight.. Im assuming its gunked up and may free itself.
I can also take a quick picture as im not 100% sure if its "anit burst"

[SafeAirOne]

Does your door catch on the door frame look like this? If so it has anti-burst latches. If not, they are non-anti-burst latches. I'm confident that yours are "non".