The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Passenger Side Door Opening while driving

Hey All

The passenger side door on my 46 2 ton keeps opening up while driving.

It closes fine while stopped, I cant pull it open.

Can somebody tell me what i can adjust to keep this from happening? My huntin dog wont sit next to the door anymore it happens so frequently.

Are the cab mounts/supports in good condition, or is the cab flexing while moving? Is the latch striker adjusted?

cab mounts are about 2 years old. I dont think they are loose but will check today.

Are your hinge-pins tight, or are they loose enough to let the door move up-and-down?

the striker plate looks worn, I just ordered a new one from jim carter truck parts, we will see if this fixes the issue.

Jay,

The latch should catch on the second part of the catch as looking inward towards the cab.

The reproduced catches don't look like they were made anywhere near North America, you will need to machine the mating side towards the cab pillar so it is flat. The ones I used were convex and would not stay screwed in place.

Good luck, as dogs like trucks just as much a guys.

Paul

My lower hinge pin was the culprit. I replaced the pin,the body lines finally are straight,and the door shuts nice and tight.

im going to clean off the grease, mark the striker plate with a sharpie pen and then open and shut the door a bunch of times. That may give me an idea of whether the problem is a door thats not aligned, or just a worn out striker.

Open the door a few inched and pick up the back end to check worn hinges like Willy suggested. You should be able to rock the whole cab, not just move the door up and down. Worn hinges allow the door to bounce/flex off the striker plate and come open.

Mike B

My 51 does that, but it needs a new latch. I keep hoping GM will have a recall, or maybe Ford would cover it on the Escape recall for doors coming open

Now that there's funny!

I've had passengers in my truck where I wished their door would have opened, while I was making a left hand turn.

Hey Paul

you were not kidding.
I received my striker plate today in the mail.
the quality is really really terrible.

I think the original part number is 598777
Im trying to remember the places which have NOS parts, perhaps if I give them the part number they can check.

i found partsvoice.com
problem solved.

Jay,

If you have some time and patience, you can file the striker plate flat on the mating surface and it will work. It seems that the Chinese reproduction plant just lost interest in the machining before they were done.

Of course NOS would be better.

You want to make the door right for your dog buddy, but for some other less desirables perhaps it is a great feature. The mental image of (insert the nemesis of your choice) tumbling out over the running board on a hard left turn is kind of funny.

Paul

Make sure you have insurance!!

Or don't forget to collect and dispose of the "evidence". Abandoned vertical mine shafts are plentiful out there. A "hiker" not paying attention could fall into one very easily.....
Speed