Well , that was a learning experience.
The repro parts are not exactly reproduction. (Surprise)
The new latch and striker are in a different range of adjustment. I learned from the tech tip that proper lowering of the striker is really important , otherwise the latch won’t trip the way it should. I had to ream the mounting holes to get the adjustment range I needed.
I did find out that the latch can be removed/ installed with the lower end of the window guide detached and the guide otherwise left in place. Window up for the whole operation.
The only thing connected to that latch mechanism is the transfer bar from the inside door handle; the handle assembly has to be removed to accomplishing that. (I haven’t installed my upper interior door panels yet , so that was easy.)
Trouble is , after going through all the trouble of installing the new latch I couldn’t get the second stage of latching to engage. I took the unit out of the door, examined it a second time and arrived at the conclusion that it is junk!
So… the original unit and striker went back in. By applying my newfound adjusting skills I was able to achieve marginal improvement in function with the old hardware. Having spent an entire morning trying and failing to get repro hardware to work I will be sending it back. I don’t trust that a replacement will be any better ; probably will apply credit towards some other part.
The old door mechanism works better than my replacement knee , so I guess I’ll just learn to live with it.(the door, that is). I learned a lot from this exercise, and there was minimal blood loss, so it wasn’t a total waste of time.
I guess.
End of report.
Last edited by Waveski; 07/22/2023 8:36 PM.
