Driver side door will not close all the way

[kryan5732]

Hi and glad I'm here. Howdy to you all. A friend who is a girl, although I would like to put those two words together, has a 2000 Explorer XLT. I have helped do a few things on the truck, but I cannot figure out why the driver side door does will not latch all the way. It catches but will not close. It seems mechanical. I've searched the forum but did not see this particular problem. Can anyone help? Thank you. Kevin

 

[bobflood]

Sounds like the latch assemply is broken. IIRC, there is a spring inside the latch that has to pull the hook over the big rod in the door frame. Sounds like that piece is not getting out of the way. Does the door lock assembly move when you push/pull on the button? Do the door handles both work? First thing to try is to spray a bunch of WD40 into the latch wherever you can get at it. Then move the lock and door handles back and forth a few times to see if anything frees up. If none of that works, you will probably have to replace the latch. Lots of threads on this site re the door handles and locks will help you with all of the mechanical connections. Then there are two or three big, short screws that hold the latch in the door. Latch is about $40 from Ford; should be easily available from a junkie for a lot less. Good luck w both your challanges.

 

[Equnoxe]

is the door hinge worn out? firmly grab the door while its all the way open, and try to lift it up and down. if there is enough play i could see it not lining up with the pin anymore.

also, if you look at the locking mechanism on the door, there should be two "claws". make sure both are pointing outwards more or less. one may have gotten jammed. if so you can try to use a screwdriver to pry it out. don't use too much force, lube is advised

 

[kryan5732]

You guys are awesome. It was actually the piece where the claws latch -it was loose. All fixed. One down, one to go!

Thanks!!!

 

[bobflood]

Well, she has to be impressed with your car knowledge!!! Ceertainly no reason to share the help you got here, since we didn't fix it! Good hunting!

 

[kryan5732]

Lol!