Door Lock

[thorlo6]

Hey guys, I know this may sound stupid, but just remember one thing, I have never been "excited" about working on cars. I am a 62y/o disabled RN and computer geek. Since I am disabled I have a very limited budget. My problem is this: I have a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport I inherited from my Mother. Early last month the front driver door lock broke and the driver door could not be opened at all. I had no choice but to take it to the Ford dealer who wound up having to replace the door latch, door actuator, and electric door lock. After doing all this, earlier this month, my door wound up only locking manually. They repaired that for no charge, but my main problem now is that the latch is not adjusted right. It needs to be adjusted so it pulls the door tighter so there is no air escaping out the door, which you can hear as you drive along. How do I adjust it?

 

[swshawaii]

Open the door and check the striker on the pillar where it catches on the latch. If the bushing is worn or not tight on the frame, the door will not close or lock properly. Aftermarket striker replacements such as the Dorman brand are available. Do not attempt to replace only the plastic bushing, no replacement is available I'm aware of. Also, mark the outline of the striker before loosening and adjusting. If the striker needs adjustment, it should be a Torx T50 or T45 size socket. GL

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98320

 

[radman]

Adjusting door latch

First look at the latch in the door itself and make sure it is tightly fastened in. There is no adjustment to the latch as it is positioned in the door jam by 3 Phillips head screws and can not move unless it is not properly secured.

Next look at the striker pin on the door jam itself this where your adjustment is done. This pin is hold in place by a single T-50 head screw but since it take a lot of slams it is torqued down very tight. It will require an impact drive and a hammer to break it loose. You may not have an impact driver but they can be purchased very cheaply, $10 or less from some place like Harbor Tools.

Once you have the driver install the appropriate size Impact T-50, it must be an impact hardened driver bit as a regular Torx socket will twist or snap off, for the screw you are trying to loosen and insert it into the screw. Apply twist, counter clockwise, to the driver in the direction of removal of the screw and while holding it firmly in the screw whack the end of the driver soundly to break it loose. You may have to bang it several times to get it loose but once you see any rotation you can then use a regular Phillips screw driver to get loosened enough to allow the striker pin to move.

Since you want your door to close tighter, move the pin about an eighth of an inch inward, snug the screw and see if you have the fit you want. If it is not right do it again, looking at the witness marks you can always come back to where you started and do over. When you get the adjustment correct then go back and impact, turning the tool clockwise, hitting the screw again and make its tight.
Mike

 

[thorlo6]

radman thanks for the heads up. Just the info I needed. I already have an impact driver from Harbor Freight! LOL! I have to have it for my lawn tractors blades. With my back like it is, I can't lie on the ground a long time or I won't be able to get back up. That is one of my main problems. Except for my feet and ankles I have arthritis in every other joint. Thanks for info guys, I really appreciate it.