Door striker question

[CoryB]

I'm making an attempt at installing my door latches so the first thing I did was put the striker on the frame bracket.

And now my door won't close. :confused:

So I looked around and found that, no matter where I adjust the striker, it hits the door because the cutout is not in the proper place for the striker. Here's a picture of what I mean. The black outline is where the striker actually touches the door.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_ag2z7Z6oI-M/TZJPKbFPBDI/AAAAAAAACDU/KamXbJzOARU/s640/doorlatchhole.jpg

So is there any problem if I just enlarge the hole to allow the striker to go into it? Even with the spacer behind the latch, it still hits.

Also, any secret to "adjusting" the angle of the striker mount? I read AC Bill's idea of cutting spacers on an angle and that looks like the best idea unless there's a better way.

Thanks for any help.

[riptide motorsport]

go ahead and make it fit, enlarging the hole is no problem

[FAT-N-FAST]

I had to do same thing, like lots of other things make it fit

[michael everson]

Same here on most that I have built. Another thing I found is that the surface of the door and the latch mount surface is not square to each other. This coould cause the latch to bind and be hard to open and close. I made up some tapered washers to correct this problem. I foudn them to be off about 2 degrees. Doesnt sound like much but if you assemble the latch you will see that there is very little wiggle room

[CoryB]

Michael,

Can you expound on how you made the tapered washers? I noticed the alignment difference between the two pieces and was wondering about the best way to remedy it.

Thanks.

[steno]

I was able to correct the alignment issue with a bit of tweeking of the tab on the frame with a vise- grip. perfect!
Sten
Michael,

Can you expound on how you made the tapered washers? I noticed the alignment difference between the two pieces and was wondering about the best way to remedy it.

Thanks.

[TimC]

I was able to correct the alignment issue with a bit of tweeking of the tab on the frame with a vise- grip. perfect!
Sten
X2..

[Pierre B]

On my MKII, the door strikers were almost too adjustable: in all directions... Same was true of hood alignment bolts. Fitting and adjusting these components can take time and patience, and those processes are best done in one one direction at a time. That is, each time I tried to adjust too much at once, I had to start over again from the betginning. I learned that it's best not to rush any of these delicate steps. It's just part and parcel of constructing a hand-built car.