View Full Version : Shimming Out The Door Latch?
Greetings. I'm fitting my door latches and wondering if some of you have had to shim out the door latches away from the door body, beyond the shim included with the door latch assembly (not the striker but the latch itself). I've got about a 3/8" gap between the door body and the door latch when the latch assembly is engaging the striker and the door is closed (door is not finally fitted but fitting fairly well). In other words, the single shim included with the door latch assembly is not enough - thinking I need two for each door.
124605
Thanks for your response and stay healthy. I salute you first responders too.
boat737
03-22-2020, 06:17 PM
Mine came with plates, probably 1/8 inch thick or maybe a tad more. I HSRF'd and bolted them permanently into place. They added just enough spacing.
Mine came with plates, probably 1/8 inch thick or maybe a tad more. I HSRF'd and bolted them permanently into place. They added just enough spacing.
I have those too but thinking I need two more.
Jeff Kleiner
03-22-2020, 06:33 PM
Drivers side always takes one and maybe about 20% of the time needs two. Passenger side usually needs none and maybe about 20% of the time needs one, never two. I usually file some more slot on the driver's side chassis tab to allow the striker to move out a bit more. I strongly advise that you DO NOT adhere the spacers to the doors.
Keep adjusting and carry on!
Jeff
j.miller
03-23-2020, 06:41 AM
Everything Kleiner just said only I'm about 5% need two spacers on one side. I have been putting #6 washers between the latch and spacer so the latch moves freely. Also when you mount the latch without the spacer you need to make sure you have clearance behind the latch for the rotating mech...da Bat
GFX2043mtu
03-23-2020, 12:49 PM
Not sure if it was just my kit but I found the hole in the spacer that is meant to clear the latch mechanism was not large enough. When the latch was tightened down it caused binding so I had to enlarge mine for clearances to ensure it worked correctly.
Not sure if it was just my kit but I found the hole in the spacer that is meant to clear the latch mechanism was not large enough. When the latch was tightened down it caused binding so I had to enlarge mine for clearances to ensure it worked correctly.
Yeah, looks like I have to enlarge mine as well.
Jeff Kleiner
03-23-2020, 12:58 PM
Not sure if it was just my kit but I found the hole in the spacer that is meant to clear the latch mechanism was not large enough. When the latch was tightened down it caused binding so I had to enlarge mine for clearances to ensure it worked correctly.
No, it wasn't just you. When I use a spacer I always grind a bit of chamfer around that big hole on the side that goes against the latch. If no spacer I make sure that the fiberglass is cut away from the same area of the door. The other option is to use the #6 washers that Miller mentioned to provide clearance by installing them between the latch and spacer or latch and door.
Jeff
j.miller
03-24-2020, 05:51 AM
No, it wasn't just you. When I use a spacer I always grind a bit of chamfer around that big hole on the side that goes against the latch. If no spacer I make sure that the fiberglass is cut away from the same area of the door. The other option is to use the #6 washers that Miller mentioned to provide clearance by installing them between the latch and spacer or latch and door.
Jeff
YUP ! Old spacers had a bigger hole. I think the newer ones were designed to help hold the latch together but kinnda missed the mark...da Bat
YUP ! Old spacers had a bigger hole. I think the newer ones were designed to help hold the latch together but kinnda missed the mark...da Bat
Well, no surprise of course .... you were both right on the money. After adjust and repeat as necessary, ended up using one shim on the driver's door, and a thin, home made shim made from scrap aluminum and a #6 washer on one of the holes of the latch on the passenger door. Both doors align pretty good with the body lines as well, so hopefully less work for you Mr. Kleiner when the time comes.
Thanks to both Jeffs for the advice.
Jeff Kleiner
03-29-2020, 10:27 AM
Coincidentally I was working on a new 25th anniversary roadster this week and discovered that they have gone back to the larger hole:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=125197&d=1585495526
If you get ones like this you don't need to bevel the edge or add the spacer washers.
Jeff