Door latch (passenger)

[2002VT]

Odd issue. Someone had placed a washer behind the door latch that's on the car (not the door). It allows it to kick out enough to latch. However, I remove the washer and now I need to push the door downward to have it latch!  I never have seen the door hinges bend upward. I've seen my share of shot door hing pins on other cars. These looks ok. Plus there is no sign of damage from a past wreck. 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2017 by 2002VT

[stone02]

the latch part on the body side is adjustable up and down, actually in a full

circle. also the door hinges  are adjustable in a similar 360 degree area.

the most important part is the gaps between the quarter panel and the door.

the door should be 7-9mm from the quarter panel, then the door needs to

be in line with the fender. the hood can be adjusted to clear the door after

that. most of these adjustments can occur with the door panel and rear

seat card off to mark all the adjustments points. also put a short piece of

5/16 fuel line on the door latch, inner one so the latch will close completely.

take pictures and post your results.

stone

[John_in_VA]

Your missing the gray buffer (corn kernel) on the end of the rotating portion of the latch.  That will help with closing, but I don't believe it addresses the need to push the door down/up.

 

[Simeon]

Maybe it's the picture but something looks pretty wrong there. It looks like the door is displaced towards the hinge and away from the B post / door jamb. Not sure if that's a function of the hinge adjustment or not but the latch wedge needs to pass cleanly into the wedge part of the latch and the rotating catch needs to be acting on the middle of the latch bar. 

[2002VT]

Stone, John, and Simeon,

 

Thank you for your reposes. I am missing a machine screw from the door side, but this is more of a gap problem between the two latch halves. 

 

I am missing those corn kernels (never knew they were there to begin with) but it seems like these are still way off. The washer was totally a quick fix from someone - but not the right fix, as you know. 

 

The door looks straight, and all the gaps seem good. Driver door is perfect - the car as had a re-spray as some point, but I can't find any sign of damage that would have tweaked the nose. I am a little stumped. I'll post more pics from other angles. 

[2002VT]

If I push the door downward (latch side toward the ground) it lines up better. It's like I need to raise the top front of the door and lower the rear bottom. But it looks like the latch is all I have to play around with. 

[2002VT]

Does anyone know of adjustment on the front hinges?  Or is there a major structural thing I need to look at?

[Buckeye]

door adjustment per SB

[2002VT]

You sir, are the freaking man.